'HAZARDOUS and damaging' illegal bonfires have prompted a housing association to apply for a court injunction to safeguard the community.

In previous years, unauthorised bonfires and firework displays have taken place on land near Finsbury Walk in Winsford owned by the Weaver Vale Housing Trust (WVHT).

These incidents, in late October and early November, have put attendees and residents at risk of harm and have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the land and nearby homes.

Now the trust is applying for an injunction which will ban unauthorised gatherings, bonfires, or firework displays around Greenfields Park.

A WVHT spokesman said: "An unauthorised and illegal bonfire and fireworks display has taken place in previous years on land owned by WVHT near to Finsbury Walk in Winsford.   

"The illegal event has been held without any formal safety precautions or emergency plans and has resulted in significant damage to the land and nearby homes, and created safety hazards for attendees and local residents.   

"The site is particularly difficult for emergency services to access.

"Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has expressed concerns fire engines and ambulances may not be able to reach the site in an emergency, increasing the risk of uncontrolled fires and delayed medical responses. 

"Due to these serious concerns WVHT, in partnership with Cheshire Police, the fire service, and Cheshire West and Chester Council, has applied for an injunction, prohibiting any unauthorised gatherings, bonfires, or firework displays on the site.   

"This is intended to safeguard the community and prevent further disruption and damage."

Should it be granted, the injunction will be in force around the Greenfields Park site between November 1 and November 10.

It will forbid lighting fires, setting bins alight, setting up DJ equipment or takeaway stalls, playing music, damaging the land, setting off or throwing fireworks, and causing a nuisance or annoying residents.

Driving vehicles onto the land with the purpose of depositing bonfire materials, setting up DJ equipment, generators, and takeaway stalls, will also be prohibited.

In an effort to curb this behaviour in future, the application includes October and November dates, when the injunction will be in force, up to 2029.

The application will be heard at Chester County Court on October 22.