Rhoose coronation bonfire cancelled after just one complaint

Big plans were in place for Rhoose to welcome the reign of King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla, with a teddy bear’s picnic (which is still going ahead) followed by a bonfire at Fontygary Leisure Park for the community to enjoy.

But now the bonfire plans have been put on the bonfire heap after one resident complained to the council.

Incident takes strange twist with notorious ‘waste mountain’ causing more issues

Residents fumed that one complaint could cancel a whole community event - but Vale of Glamorgan Council has said it took concerns about the bonfire seriously, with a prohibited mound of rubbish, known as a ‘waste mountain’, making the event dangerous.

A mountain of rubbish was reportedly building on land owned by Fontygary Leisure Park – where the bonfire was set to be held - with waste dumped there which locals were concerned was causing an environmental hazard.

The owner of Fontygary, Tim McIlveen explained it was not in fact a dump, but building waste being stored to be used to help build improvements for the park and the local area once he had gained planning permission.

Now this mound seems to have put a spanner in the works on Rhoose’s coronation celebrations.

After one person complained the council cancelled the bonfire, explaining the close proximity of the bonfire to the waste mountain could cause issues.

The spokesperson said: "Our Shared Regulatory Services team received a complaint from a local resident about the potential bonfire at the event and its close proximity to unknown accumulated waste.

"This was thought to include rubble, metal, plastic, glass and possibly asbestos.”

Council services at Fontgary tackling 'waste mountain'

Owner of Fontygary Lesuire said the waste was being stored responsible and to be used on improvements to the park

‘Spoil sport. I hope they enjoy their miserable day’

Residents were left fuming when they found out the bonfire was cancelled. Responses included why one person’s complaint could lead to the cancellation of an event put on for the whole community, to downright fury let out on social media.

What residents of Rhoose thought about the cancelled bonfire, writing on Facebook:

"Such a shame. Strange just one resident can choose to complain and then it is cancelled without negotiations taking place with the organisers!"

"How is it that just one complaint can put an end to a COMMUNITY event?"

"I hope the individual who caused this is happy with their actions because the vast majority in Rhoose certainly are not. Didn’t realise the Christmas Grinch lived here and is active throughout the year."

"Absolutely disgusting that one person has the influence to dictate what all the other residents can do!"

"Spoil sport. I hope they enjoy their miserable day"

The bonfire was set to be held on the wide open fields near Fontygary Leisure Park

A shame for all involved

Vale Council said they did everything they could to try let the bonfire go ahead, however, in the end, they were unable to spark it up.

The council spokesperson said: "A number of teams worked with the organiser to try and make alternative arrangements, but unfortunately this has not been possible.”