Is your street planning a right royal party?

Are you and your neighbours going to be celebrating the royal wedding with a street party in Harpenden on 29 April?

Before you send out the invitations, invest in Union Jacks and consider who will be making the sarnies, you need to let the County Council know of your plans by applying to have a street party. But far from trying to wrap us in red (white and blue) tape, the Council are endeavouring to make this a simple process and as easy as possible for residents to celebrate.

Stuart Pile, Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said: "The royal wedding is a great opportunity for everyone in Hertfordshire to get into the party spirit. We want to make it easier for residents to get out on to the streets and celebrate, so we've set up a simple online application form to make notifying us of your plans quick and easy. What's more, we're waiving the normal fee for road closures so there's nothing stopping you getting together with your neighbours and marking this special day."

A street party is categorised as an event that is:

• a small private event for residents of one or two streets
• publicised only to local residents
• does not normally require licences if music is incidental and no selling is involved
• organised by residents rather than professional organisers

If you would like to hold a street party or fete on the royal wedding day, download the application form here. All applications need to be received by 4 April 2011.

If you want to celebrate on any other day, or would like to organise a larger event, where alcohol is being sold for instance you will need to contact St Albans District Council for permission.

You can find more useful information on planning street parties, on the Streets Alive website: www.streetparty.org.uk and The Big Lunch website: www.thebiglunch.com

Is your street having a royal wedding party? What are the pros and cons of a street party? Share your views below:

Photo from Louisa Thomson’s photostream on flickr.