Court: Hilversum may temporarily ban fireworks as battle wages on

The municipality of Hilversum is temporarily allowed to ban fireworks in the city center over New Year's, even if it results in a lower turnover for firework vendors in the city, the Council of State ruled on Monday. A number of firework dealers asked the Council of State to suspend the firework ban after the administrative court ruled that the mayor and aldermen can impose a ban. The dealers fear a decline in sales because residents of the city center will no longer buy fireworks. But the Council of State ruled in the municipality's favor. According to the ruling, "the local authorities interests to prevent danger, damage and nuisance in the designated part of the city center outweigh the relatively minor financial interest of the fireworks merchants". The fireworks ban applies to the entertainment area of Hilversum city center and part of Langgewnest. No fireworks may be lit in this area between 6:00 p.m. on December 31st and 2:00 a.m. on January 1st. This ruling was a preliminary ruling due to the emergency procedure. The Administrative Law Division will make a final ruling during the course of next year.