The organisers of the New Year bonfire on Scheveningen beach have applied to build several smaller fires no higher than 10 metres tall, in an effort to comply with new safety regulations.

The bonfires will be built by hand rather than machine and the aim is to get ‘back to basics’ and ensure a good time is had by everyone, the organisers said on Facebook.

Last week, The Hague’s acting mayor Johan Remkes said that on fire brigade advice, the New Year fires could be no higher than 10 metres tall. This follows last year’s near disaster in which a 48-metre high blaze sent huge clouds of cinders into nearby streets.

Scheveningen and the nearby district Duindorp have had a competition to build the highest bonfire since the early 1990s.

The organisations will hear in December if their plans can go ahead.