A mother has been ordered to dismantle an elaborate Halloween tunnel after her local council deemed it unsafe for public use.
Paula Dewar of Cumbernauld received official notice from North Lanarkshire Council to remove the decorative structure from a footpath adjacent to her property.
According to Mrs Dewar, who has been putting up the spooky decorations in this manner for years, the order came after a complaint about potential health and safety risks.
Less than 24 hours before children began their trick-or-treat rounds, officials raised concerns about the walkthrough display’s construction materials and its location on public ground, classifying it as a “potential hazard”.
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The decorative tunnel includes carved pumpkins, witches, skeletons, ghouls,…
A mother has been ordered to dismantle an elaborate Halloween tunnel after her local council deemed it unsafe for public use.
Paula Dewar of Cumbernauld received official notice from North Lanarkshire Council to remove the decorative structure from a footpath adjacent to her property.
According to Mrs Dewar, who has been putting up the spooky decorations in this manner for years, the order came after a complaint about potential health and safety risks.
Less than 24 hours before children began their trick-or-treat rounds, officials raised concerns about the walkthrough display’s construction materials and its location on public ground, classifying it as a “potential hazard”.
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The decorative tunnel includes carved pumpkins, witches, skeletons, ghouls, ghosts, goblins and various pieces of eerie artwork.
However, it is also understood to contain plastic piping and wooden rail components, which appear to have drawn the complaints.
Officials determined the materials represent unacceptable risks to pedestrians using the public footpath and an expansion beyond their property boundaries.
While also adding a level of good-natured horror to the evening, the family set up the decorations for charity.
Paula Dewar’s Halloween tunnel | Source: PAULA DEWAR
Donation buckets were placed at the entrance to the tunnel so visitors can donate to charity - which changes every year.
Ms Dewar told BBC Scotland News: “When I received the letter I was truly shocked - I know it sounds naïve but I never gave planning permission a thought.
“The structure is very secure and I’m disappointed someone would report it to the council, as it’s only up for three or four weeks at most.
“There are plenty of other paths people can walk along here, it’s not just the one that goes past my house.”
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Halloween tunnel | Source: PAULA DEWAR
However, Ms Dewar has not yet written off Halloween night plans.
She added: “The structure hasn’t budged in the weeks it has been up and I don’t have the manpower until Saturday to start removing it all.
“It’s usually so popular each year - we’ve had people come from out of the area to look at it, we’ve had groups of disabled people come in a minibus to see it.
“Last year we raised just short of £500 for charity - we’re doing it for the Pet Pantry Cumbernauld this year and we’ll hopefully get a good response.”
Paula Dewar’s decorations | Source: PAULA DEWAR
North Lanarkshire Council said it was illegal to place anything across a public path without permission under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.
A spokesman said: “The last thing we want to do is spoil anyone’s Halloween fun but safety is paramount.
“We want to make sure children are trick or treating in public areas without risk to their safety.
“We would be happy to work with her next year to work on more suitable arrangements for all children to enjoy the display safely.”
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