BONFIRES - what you need to know

Although it is not illegal to have a bonfire, it is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cause a statutory nuisance. This includes smoke, fumes or gases “emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance” and can include nuisance created by bonfires.

 

 

 

In addition, allowing smoke to drift over nearby roads may also lead to prosecution under the Highways Act.

 

 

 

So, before you light a bonfire, please consider whether there are other ways of disposing of the material e.g. by composting it or by taking it to the Council’s recycling facility at Kimpton Road. This would remove the risk of neighbour complaints.

 

 

 

If, however, you decide to have a bonfire, please observe these simple guidelines:

 

 

 

• Show consideration for the neighbours in the surrounding properties. Ideally, let them know when there is going to be a fire.
• Avoid burning at the weekend and on bank holidays when people are more likely to be in their gardens. Choose a suitable week-day evening after 6.30pm.
• Avoid lighting up in unsuitable weather conditions. Smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening.
•  Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads or into other people’s property. 
• Only burn dry material. Never burn household rubbish, rubber or anything containing plastics, foam or paint. 
• Never use old engine oil, methylated spirits or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it. 
• Do not light fires near a boundary fence or near sheds. Remember sheds may contain petrol and other highly combustible materials.  
• Never, never leave a fire unattended or to smoulder.
• Before you leave the site, douse out the fire with water. Don’t take a chance that it might rain overnight or that the fire will burn itself out. It might not and residents from a nearby property might mistakenly call the fire brigade on a false errand.

 

Let’s avoid this situation.

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

 

The Council Inspectors......

Just in case you were wondering, it's not a myth - the council inspectors really do come to the Site every year to carry out their non cultivation inspection.

Here's the proof!

Wednesday 19th May 2010