Blaze factory wants to sell fireworks again

The fire at Festival Fireworks UK at Marlie Farm, Shortgate, near Ringmer in December shook the local community and took the lives of firemen Brain Wembridge, 63, and Geoff Wicker, 49.

Owner Martin Winter submitted a planning application in June of this year to start work rebuilding the site.

An application to build temporary offices, workshop, office and staff facilities, a storage building and a steel storage container was submitted on Mr Winter's behalf by Woodchurch Clarke.

It said the application would 'allow the applicant's business to fulfill its contractual obligations'.

Now Mr Winter has entered a second application for the temporary change of use for part of the workshop to become retail space allowing the sale of fireworks.

The new application has angered residents.

Gene Robinson, owner of neighbouring business, Bluebell Holiday Park, said: 'Quite honestly it is ridiculous to allow fireworks there, particularly after what has happened.'

A Health and Safety Executive spokeswoman said a prohibition order was still in place on the site, preventing the owner from selling or storing fireworks.

In order for fireworks to be sold it would have to investigate whether it was safe for this to be lifted.

Festival Fireworks declined to comment about the application.

The application will be decided by Lewes District Council.