Homeowner’s twinkling Christmas lights slammed by neighbors who call it ‘light pollution’: ‘We’re just trying to spread festive cheer’

It was her light– the sea before Christmas.

A family in the UK has branded their landlords “scroungers” for ordering them to turn down their Christmas decorations at night over “light pollution” concerns.

“We just can’t figure it out – we’re just trying to spread some festive cheer,” Michael Stonier, 21, told South West News Service denouncing their so-called war on Christmas decorations.

Every festive season, the Stoniers transform their Staffordshire home into a luminescent Christmas castle, complete with 7,000 lights and numerous inflatables.

This festive tradition dates back 23 years – before Michael was born – and is said to have set them back over $12,000.

However, the massive undertaking has been worth it for the joy it brings to the community.

The Brit – who lives with his mum Gail, 52, and brother Timothy, 23 – claimed they “turn the lights on as early as September because the kids in the local area love it”.

“Everyone is interested in the lights, it makes my community happier,” he declared. “We have disabled children and autistic children who come down the street just to look at our decorations and it warms your heart to see them so happy.”

So Michael was stunned when his family received a letter from their landlords, Homes Plus Group, claiming they had received “complaints about light pollution”.

Christmas seekers asked to switch off the screen at 10pm and also not to put up the festive displays before mid-November each year.

“Homes Plus is acting like Scrooge,” declared the angry Yuletide lover. “As a family we feel victimized and saddened and we feel like we can’t even breathe in our house.”

He added that they like to keep the lights on after 10pm because “some of the older kids come later at night”, claiming no one has had a problem so far.

Michael claimed the bashing of the party was “pathetic” because the party’s sheltered dignitaries had likely only received “a complaint or two”.

“They won’t tell me how many people have complained, but most people seem to enjoy them,” he insisted. “There are houses around the area and I’m sure all over the country that have more lights on their houses than we do.”

When Michael asked a police officer about the laws regarding Christmas decorations and light pollution, they reportedly replied that there was no such regulation.

“There’s also no law that says how early they can grow or what time you have to turn them off,” said the frustrated boy.

“We keep to ourselves, but yet someone seems to have a problem with us,” said Michael, who has so far refused to let the so-called Grinch property bosses steal Christmas so to speak.

“I’m not removing them or turning them off, they’re here to stay,” he said.

Homes Group then sent an email to Michael’s mother addressing this alleged disregard for their policy.

“I have been informed that the Christmas lights have been switched on earlier than I have requested – to confirm, I have requested that the earliest they should be switched on is November 16,” the alleged festive fun police wrote. “I have also been informed that the lights are not turned off at 10 p.m. in accordance with what I requested.”

“You were aware that people had complained about light pollution and decorations going up so early in September,” the scathing email also said.

The Homes Group even referred to an incident in which someone allegedly cut down Stoniers’ “fairy lights”, deeming the act of vandalism “an indication of how people feel in your community”.

“I will now record this as an incident where you did not follow my recommendations,” the owners said.

Meanwhile, housing and care executive director Les Clarke felt such a party presented a potential “fire hazard” as well as a “nuisance” if “care is not taken”.

“In the run-up to Christmas, we’re sharing tips and guidance with our customers on how to celebrate safely and mindfully,” the Briton said. “The guidance we share from our local authorities and fire and rescue services advises how you can minimize the risks so everyone can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.”

Stoniers aren’t the only people passionate about their Yuletide decorating tradition.

Lucy Spata, 68, who owns the most decorated house in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, has stipulated in her will that her descendants will not be able to inherit said property unless they decorate it with Christmas decorations every year.