Scots couple's £3,000 Christmas lights display approved despite neighbour complaints

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A couple who faced tearing down their £3,000 Christmas lights after complaints from neighbours have won a battle to save their festive display.

Jordan Buckland, 23, and his partner Derrie McAlpine, 24, planned a winter wonderland spectacular at their new semi-detached home in Kilmarnock to raise funds for a local food charity.

The couple, who recently moved into their property, create annual displays which attract hundreds of visitors - but complaints were raised with Cunningham Housing Association who initially refused permission for the big switch on.An investigation found there to be no breach of health and safety rules and the couple have now been given the go ahead to unveil their Christmas extravaganza on Friday, December 8.They told the Record they are expecting 500 people to show up for the big night, which will include a laser-show, music, snow-machine and a drive-by from the fire brigade.Jordan said: "We moved in earlier this year and word got out about the display."We always try to go bigger and better so we spent £3,000 on lights."Then the Housing Association got in touch after complaints were made by neighbours and a housing officer was sent round."It was really disappointing because it's all for charity and we put in a lot of effort and our own money to create the displays. "We were asked to send the Housing Association our plans so they could decide whether it breached health and safety requirements. "After initially refusing to agree they came back and said they were satisfied so it's full-steam ahead with this year's switch on."Their dazzling decorations include light-up candy canes, Santa, snowmen, and a giant teddy bear.