Twinkling Changes Ahead? Council Considers Festive Display Overhaul

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to consider a significant overhaul of festive lighting and Christmas tree provision across towns, villages and hamlets throughout the Borough.

A report due before the Environmental Services Committee on 12th May outlines proposals which could see traditional natural Christmas trees gradually replaced with artificial 3D cone trees, metal trees, or locally managed festive funding schemes.

Council officers say the proposals are aimed at creating a more “harmonised” festive offering across the Borough while also addressing rising operational costs, weather resilience and environmental concerns linked to the annual use of natural trees.

Under the current arrangements, towns including Coleraine, Ballymoney, Limavady and Ballycastle receive 9-metre natural Christmas trees each year, while Portrush and Portstewart receive 7-metre trees. Over a ten-year period, the cost of maintaining those arrangements is estimated at £271,500.

The report highlights increasing challenges associated with sourcing large natural trees, alongside concerns surrounding climate change, transportation, disposal and damage caused during adverse weather conditions.

Three options have now been put forward for larger towns.

Option one would retain the existing natural trees at a projected ten-year cost of £271,500.

Option two proposes the introduction of artificial 3D cone trees, reducing the projected cost to £124,800 over ten years.

Option three would see the introduction of metal Christmas trees, with the report estimating a total ten-year cost of £74,400 across the six towns.

Presentation slides accompanying the report also include concept images of the proposed 3D cone and metal tree designs.

The proposals extend beyond the main towns.

For villages with populations between 1,000 and 4,999, Council officers have outlined options including standardised metal trees with festive motifs or the introduction of a festive capital fund allowing communities greater flexibility to organise and deliver their own displays.

Villages included within the proposals include Bushmills, Kilrea, Cushendall, Castlerock, Cloughmills, Dunloy and Rasharkin.

Similar proposals have also been developed for hamlets and smaller rural settlements, with some areas potentially receiving festive grants instead of permanent tree installations. 

The report states that all options would be delivered on a phased basis over two years, with some infrastructure works required to meet DFI Roads Service safety standards.

Committee members are being asked to consider their preferred approach for each category of town, village and hamlet before making recommendations to the full Council.

The report will go before the Environmental Services Committee next week.