Fireworks dispensation - Licences and permissions

Description

You need a dispensation if you want to use fireworks between 11pm and 7am and your event does not fall within the times allowed by law.

Under the Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004, fireworks cannot normally be used between 11pm and 7am unless:

  • we grant a dispensation
  • the display is being carried out by us at a national public celebration or national commemorative event
  • the display takes place during one of the permitted exemption periods

Exemption periods

The permitted exemption periods are:

  • Chinese New Year: 11pm on the first day of Chinese New Year until 1am the following day
  • 5 November: 11pm until midnight
  • Diwali: 11pm on the day of Diwali until 1am the following day
  • New Year's Eve: 11pm on 31 December until 1am on 1 January

Who can apply

Only professional fireworks display organisers or operators can apply for a dispensation. The dispensation must be for a display carried out as part of their employment, business, a national public celebration or a national commemorative event.

These notes are a guide only and are not a legal interpretation of the regulations. You should read the relevant legislation and seek independent legal advice if needed.

Fees and duration

There is no application fee.

Conditions and requirements

You must apply at least 6 weeks before the proposed display date.

If we grant a dispensation, you must publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the area where the event will take place. This must be done at least 7 days before the event.

Before granting a dispensation, we must be satisfied that any risks have been avoided or reduced as far as possible.

We will consider whether the display could:

  • cause death, injury, alarm, distress or anxiety to people
  • cause death, injury or distress to animals
  • damage or destroy property
How to apply

To apply, you must provide:

  • proof of public liability insurance with cover of at least £5 million
  • a site plan showing the proposed event location, normally at a scale of 1:500 or another scale agreed by us
  • details of the fireworks to be used, including:
    • category of fireworks
    • relevant British or European standard
    • United Nations (UN) number
    • total net explosive content of all fireworks being used

Download the application form

Return the completed form with all supporting documents to licensing@highland.gov.uk.

We will consult relevant services and agencies, which may include:

  • Police Scotland
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  • planning services
  • building standards
  • roads services
  • environmental health
After you apply

We will assess your application and consider any comments received during consultation.

In some cases, we may need to refer your application to the Highland Licensing Committee for a hearing. This will always happen if there is an objection to the application.

If a hearing is required:

  • we will write to you with the date, time and location
  • you will be invited to attend and present your application

If we grant the dispensation:

  • we will notify you in writing
  • we will notify the Chief Constable and provide the same information that was included in your application
  • you must publish a notice of the display in a local newspaper at least 7 days before the event takes place
Contact us

Licensing team