City of Edinburgh Council Has Passed The Most Extensive List of Firework Control Zones So Far
Animals and vulnerable residents in Edinburgh will benefit from protections from fireworks noise, as the city has confirmed an extension of the successful Firework Control Zones policy, championed by Greens.
Five FCZs for two years were confirmed for Corstorphine, Longstone, Gracemount, Moredun and Sighthill/Broomhouse with a further five at Lochend, Liberton, Stenhouse/Gaskell, Wester Hailes and West Pilton. These join existing Zones in Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
14 Zones will operate in total.
Edinburgh Green spokesperson for Culture and Communities Dan Heap welcomed the move saying: “Fireworks noise an be extremely distressing for vulnerable residents and also pets, as almost any dog and cat owner will tell you, and we also have strong evidence that they pollute the air and water.
“That’s why it is so crucial we have today extend FCZs further, encompassing a large part of the city.
“I am proud of the role Greens have played in championing these essential protections for people, paws and planet.”
THE City Council wants to hear from communities across the city about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones next November. FCZs are for private spaces such as gardens. These zones help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.
Of the nine zones in place in 2025, four continue this year as the application was for two years – Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
Resident groups, community councils and other community groups – apply by 24 April if you wish your neighbourhood to be a firework control zone.
Apply for a firework control zone in your community:
Council Leader Jane Meagher discusses plans in place for Bonfire Night and encourages residents to celebrate safely:
Bonfire Night is a much-loved tradition and a highlight of the year for so many across the city. It’s a time to come together with friends, family, and neighbours to enjoy fireworks and have fun.
As we look forward to celebrating, we’re asking everyone to do so safely and responsibly. Wherever possible, we’d encourage residents to attend one of the many organised displays taking place across the city. These events are not only the best way to enjoy fireworks, they’re also the safest.
Sadly, in previous years, we’ve seen a small minority misuse fireworks in ways that put others at risk. Emergency services workers, local businesses, essential bus services, and members of the public have all been affected by dangerous and anti-social behaviour. This is unacceptable and it doesn’t reflect the vast majority who simply want to enjoy the night peacefully.
That’s why we’re taking proactive steps again this year, working closely with our partners to put robust plans in place. One important measure is the continued use of Firework Control Zones (FCZs), which were introduced in response to community concerns. Based on data and evidence, FCZs are about making sure celebrations happen in the right way and in the right place and they’ve already proven to be effective in previous years.
Aligning these with Dispersal Zones ensures there is a comprehensive framework in place to deter reckless and antisocial behaviour.
They’re not a catch-all solution, but they’re part of our broader approach that includes enforcement, prevention and engagement.
Our teams, alongside Police Scotland, have been visiting firework retailers across Edinburgh and I’m delighted that all but 2 have made the decision not to sell fireworks this year. This is a huge step forward that will make the celebrations safer for everyone.
We’re also prioritising direct engagement with young people, giving them a voice in how we shape our approach to firework safety. Just recently, Police Scotland and Fearless hosted a youth summit, offering young people a meaningful platform to share their perspectives and help develop the Fearless social media campaign which will reach thousands of our young people in the run-up.
We’re backing this up with funding for alternative activities and youth engagement programmes aimed at providing positive choices and discouraging anti-social behaviour.
In the lead up to Bonfire Night, you’ll also notice Council teams and community volunteers working together to clear hazardous materials, tackling fly-tipping, and offering free bulky waste collections to reduce the risk of deliberate fires.
Together, we can all play a part in making Bonfire Night a safe and enjoyable time for everyone by following safety guidance, being considerate of others, and reporting any concerns.
A consultation on Firework Control Zones (FCZ) for autumn 2025 in Edinburgh is now underway.
Earlier this year interested communities were invited to apply for their area to become a FCZ. Consultation participants will now be able to give feedback on nine potential FCZs in:
Niddrie
Sighthill/Broomhouse
Gracemount
Moredun
Calton Hill
Seafield
Balerno
Corstorphine
Longstone
Consultation responses will help form plans for future FCZs, which will be reported to Culture and Communities Committee in August.
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “We want people to be able to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly, and introducing FCZs is one way we can support communities to do that.
“As well as drawing on experience from last year’s FCZs, this consultation will help us to better understand the impact on residents as we approach autumn 2025.
“I would encourage all those who are interested to take part in the consultation to help us shape plans for Bonfire Night.”
FCZs were first introduced to support the safe use of fireworks in Edinburgh in 2024, based on assessments from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Council data.
These covered Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield and lessons learned from their operation will be considered in the introduction of future FCZs.
The current consultation will run until 29 July. Take part online.
Councillors have agreed to move forward with an extensive consultation process on Firework Control Zones for this autumn.
Since 3 March, local communities have been invited to apply for their area to be a Firework Control Zone (FCZ). Following a four-week application period, an eight-week consultation will now take place.
The consultation process will include discussions on areas that saw significant disorder in 2024 – Niddrie, Sighthill/Broomhouse, and Gracemount/Moredun, and will also consider any new local FCZ applications submitted before 31 March.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “By expanding and refining our Firework Control Zones for 2025, we are taking proactive steps to enhance public safety and ensure that our communities can enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and responsible way.
“The feedback we received from last year’s zones has been invaluable, and with a thorough consultation process, we are giving residents a voice in shaping these important decisions. We are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour while promoting a safer and more enjoyable experience for all.”
The consultation will run until May, with the final outcome being presented to the Culture and Communities Committee in August.
In 2024, four FCZs were established across Edinburgh, based on assessments from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Council data.
These zones—Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie, and Seafield—operated from November 1 to 10 and were aimed at tackling firework misuse and anti-social behaviour.
The feedback and results from these zones will also help inform the planning for 2025.
Councillors have agreed to move forward with an extensive consultation process on Firework Control Zones for autumn 2025.
Since 3 March, local communities have been invited to apply for their area to be a Firework Control Zone (FCZ). Following a four-week application period, an eight-week consultation will now take place.
The consultation process will include discussions on a potential citywide zone, as well as targeted areas such as Niddrie, Sighthill/Broomhouse, and Gracemount /Moredun — areas that saw significant disorder in 2024. The consultation will also consider any new local FCZ applications submitted before 31 March.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “By expanding and refining our Firework Control Zones for 2025, we are taking proactive steps to enhance public safety and ensure that our communities can enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and responsible way.
“The feedback we received from last year’s zones has been invaluable, and with a thorough consultation process, we are giving residents a voice in shaping these important decisions. We are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour while promoting a safer and more enjoyable experience for all.”
The consultation will run until May, with the final outcome being presented to the Culture and Communities Committee in August.
In 2024, four FCZs were established across Edinburgh, based on assessments from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Council data.
These zones—Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie, and Seafield—operated from November 1 to 10 and were aimed at tackling firework misuse and anti-social behaviour. The feedback and results from these zones will also help inform the planning for 2025.
The city council would like to hear from communities by 31 March about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones this November.
These zones can help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.
Following a decision at the Special meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee on Friday 23 August 2024, elected members approved to implement Firework Control Zones (FCZ’s) in Edinburgh.
The areas are as follows: Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield and the Firework Control Zones will be for a set period between Friday 1 of November to Sunday 10 November 2024 only.
You can download the decision report which is being published as required by Section 29 Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.
On 23 August 2024 Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “Today the Culture and Communities Committee endorsed the recommended actions, which allows us to implement the Firework Control Zones in the four areas from 1 – 10 November, following the 60-day lay period.
“This is just the first year, and will provide us with tangible evidence of its effectiveness and help guide implementation in years to come, along with extensive community consultation in 2025.
“Community safety, the protection of our emergency services personnel and animal welfare are among our top priorities when it comes to this decision.
“Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together, and we hope that these zones will allow the community to celebrate safely.”
An FCZ can be considered for the following reasons:
misuse of fireworks/injuries
impact on vulnerable groups
environmental protection
animal welfare
Once an FCZ has been agreed, Police Scotland will look to enforce any offences under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. More information is available at legislation.gov.uk.
In the future we will create a process for community requests. This will give communities a way to ask us to consider whether a zone should be agreed, amended, or revoked.
A community is any group of people who feel they have something in common such as community councils, resident groups, and stakeholders within the local community. In many cases they may live in the same area. Questions can be sent to fireworkscontrolzone@edinburgh.gov.uk. A community request cannot be made by one person.
We will be accepting applications from the 6th of May until the 30th of June. This will then rigorously be assessed and evaluated by the council, fire, and police services before a FCZ will be considered.
Complaints
Call Police Scotland on 101 to make a complaint about antisocial behavioru related to fireworks. They will use this information to identify what needs to be looked into. They will also link in with our Family and Household Support Teams with regards to any antisocial behaviour.
If you have concerns about someone selling fireworks, then please contact Trading Standards at 0131 608 1100 or email trading.standards@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Edinburgh residents are being asked for their views on Firework Control Zones.
The introduction of a Firework Control Zone will mean that certain fireworks will no longer be permitted to be set off in these areas, and a Citywide Firework Control Zone will mean that certain fireworks will no longer be permitted to be set off anywhere in the capital.
These Firework Control Zones will not impact organised displays, such as Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Christmas or Hogmanay.
Consultation is currently underway for the following locations:
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together.
“However, we all remember the shocking scenes we saw in some areas of the capital last year with emergency services being attacked, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent similar occurrences this November.
“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to share their position on the use of fireworks, and I encourage everyone to take some time to have their say before the consultation closes.”
Further information on Firework Control Zones is available on the council website. The consultation closes on Friday 23 August 2024.
A FCZ is a specified area within a local authority. Under the legislation it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to use a firework within a FCZ. Organised public displays will still be permitted.
Communities can ask for a FCZ to be considered for the following reasons: misuse of fireworks, injuries from fireworks, impact on vulnerable groups, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
Community groups have until June 30, 2024, to submit their FCZ applications.
Applications will then be reviewed by the Council in conjunction with Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Following these reviews, there will then be a community consultation period within the proposed areas. The full decision list on FCZs in Edinburgh is due to be announced in October 2024.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m really pleased that we’re reaching the next stage in implementing Fireworks Control Zones here in Edinburgh. We all remember vividly the shocking and unprecedented scenes we saw in Niddrie last year with emergency services being attacked and I’m determined to do everything within our power to prevent similar occurrences this November.
“Whilst these powers from the Scottish Government are welcome, I’ve been clear that we need to go further on the issue of fireworks and ban their public sale, such is the current risk to public safety and order.
“Alongside these measures, it’s more important than ever that we supplement these new powers with our ongoing community work. Over the coming months with our partners, we’ll be undertaking targeted engagement and intervention work in our schools, youth associations and wider communities.”
