IF you host an unregistered Platinum Jubilee street party this weekend you’ll be breaking the law – but you’ll probably get away with it.
Officials have refused to say whether Brits holding gatherings to celebrate the Queen‘s 70-year reign without permission will face ANY consequences at all.
Fifteen million people plan to toast the monarch over the four-day Bank Holiday – but only 16,000 official street party applications have been approved.
Many more get-togethers are expected to go ahead, meaning thousands of roads could be closed illegally to make room for the festivities.
It is an offence to obstruct any public right of passage – which includes roads, pavements and thoroughfares – and anyone wishing to do so for a knees-up must obtain a Street Party Road Closure Order.
Events must also only feature “simple tables and chairs”, with no live music or other performances.
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However, local authorities won’t be enforcing the rules unless events get really out of hand, a source told The Celeb Report.
Action will likely only be taken for parties of more than 500 people, or where alcohol is being sold.
And even then, celebrations will likely still be allowed to continue, without the risk of fines or any other punishment.
Several police forces also refused to confirm whether action will be taken against those who host or attend parties without council permission.
And the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities added that it wants everyone to enjoy themselves as much as possible.
It is, however, encouraging people to swap their full-blown bashes for scaled back “street meets” if they have missed the deadline to apply for road closure licences.
This could be setting up on driveways or front gardens instead of in the road.
LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “Councils are pulling out all the stops to help their communities celebrate a historic day for our country, whether it be approving thousands of local road closures for free or putting on big community events of their own.
“A huge number of applications for street parties have been received, and councils need to balance supporting as many residents as possible while ensuring events that do take place are set up and run safely.
“With the day fast-approaching, anyone who has yet to submit their application should contact their council as soon as possible.”
The lack of punishment will be a huge sigh of relief for many Brits who have already faced red tape from killjoy councils.
Officials in Rochford, Essex, declared bunting should be torn down to avoid bin collection chaos, while Portsmouth City Council banned the hanging flags amid speculation it is too heavy for lampposts.
Many have urged councils to show “a little bit of flexibility” when it comes to street parties to celebrate Her Majesty’s record reign.
Asked on Sky News about unauthorised Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Chris Philp said: “I think it is fantastic we are celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee, and I would just say to local councils around the country, including mine in Croydon, if you do get a late application, and maybe the deadline has technically passed, I would just say to the councils to show a little bit of flexibility, show a little bit of willingness to accommodate people.
“And if you are at all able to, you know, please do grant these requests, even if they are maybe technically after the deadline.”
His words echoed those of Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, who last night said: “These street parties should be allowed to go ahead.
“We shouldn’t let killjoys spoil the Jubilee.”
The Jubilee celebrations begin on Thursday with Trooping the Colour – the Queen’s annual birthday parade.
She and other members of the Royal Family will gather on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force.
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The following three days will be filled with other royal events, including a service of thanksgiving, a party at the Palace, and the Big Jubilee Lunch.
An ICM poll revealed 14.7m people are planning to join the festivities over the four-day break – almost double the number who participated in the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
