Fact Sheet
Bonfires
Bonfires are normally used for disposing of garden waste or they are lit just
for fun such as on Guy Fawkes night. However, bonfires have the potential to
cause a nuisance to neighbours, pollute the environment and harm human
health. Therefore, alternatives should be used whenever possible.
What are some alternatives to having a bonfire?
• Composting of garden waste is both sensible and useful. A compost bin will
produce a useful soil conditioner which will then save money on commercial
products. More information on composting is available from gardening
organisations.
• The Somerset Waste Partnership operate a garden waste collection service
that residents can subscribe to for a fee.
For more information on this go to www.somersetwaste.gov.uk or phone
Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) on 01823 356356.
• There are 14 Recycling Centres in the Somerset area where garden waste
can be disposed of free of charge. For more information on their location,
opening times and the types of materials that are accepted go to
http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/sites/ or phone TDBC on 01823 356356.
What are the best practice guidelines I should follow when I
light a bonfire?
If you do decide that a bonfire is absolutely necessary, please consider the
following key advice:
• Only burn dry garden waste.
• Never burn household refuse, plastics, rubber, painted materials, anything wet
or commercial waste.
• Warn your neighbours well in advance before lighting a bonfire and try to
negotiate a time that would be most suitable. Well informed neighbours are
much less likely to complain.
• Ensure that smoke does not cause a nuisance or inconvenience to
neighbours. Check the wind direction before lighting the fire. Smoke hangs in
the air on damp, still days.
• Keep your fire away from trees, fences and buildings. Have a hosepipe or
buckets of water handy just in case it gets out of control.
• Burn material quickly in small quantities so that a minimum amount of
smoke is created.
• Never use oil, petrol or methylated spirits to light a fire – you could harm
yourself as well as the environment.
• Never leave your fire to smoulder for long periods or leave it unattended.
Hose it down until the bonfire is ‘cold’ before you leave it.
Bonfires which smoulder away and smoke for long periods, especially when
wind and weather conditions are unfavourable, are those most likely to give rise
to complaints from neighbours.
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When and where can I have a bonfire?
There are no Byelaws relating to set times when bonfires
can be lit. However, you should avoid having bonfires in
the evening or at night when you will not be able to
watch them safely or see where the smoke is drifting.
Most bonfire problems are dealt with under nuisance
legislation. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states
that a statutory nuisance can be “smoke, fumes or gases
emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health
or a nuisance.”
It is an offence for people to dispose of their domestic
waste in a way likely to cause pollution of the
environment or harm to human health. Offenders may be
liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
£5,000 (£20,000 for industrial, trade or business
premises). In practice you should not burn waste that is
likely to create excessive smoke or noxious fumes.
Dark smoke emitted from ‘bonfires’ on commercial
premises (including construction and demolition sites) is
prohibited under the Clean Air Act 1993, with a penalty
of up to £20,000. It is also illegal to dispose of waste that
is not from your property, for example, tradesmen must
not burn waste from site at home.
Southwest One Design & Print (TDBC) 12684/ST/3.2013
What about smoke from barbecues?
Barbecues can also cause smoke and odour problems especially if lighter fuel is used. Again, be considerate.
Warn your neighbours, and don’t light up if they have
washing out. If it is windy make sure smoke won’t blow
directly into neighbouring properties - and keep the
noise down.
What should I do if I am affected by smoke
from a bonfire or barbecue?
In many cases the person(s) causing the smoke nuisance
may not even be aware of the disturbance that they may
be causing. In the first instance, we recommend discussing
the problem with them if you feel it is appropriate and
safe to do so and try to come to a common
understanding.
You can make a formal complaint to the Environmental
Protection Team. On making a complaint the team will
need your contact details, details of the source of the
problem and any other relevant information you may
have. An investigation will then commence to determine
if the smoke is persistant or severe enough to be causing
a statutory nuisance. For further information on what is
involved in this investigation please see the TDBC’s leaflet
titled ‘The Laws & Rules surrounding Nuisance’.
During an investigation your details cannot be revealed
without your permission under the Data Protection Act.
However, if the case reaches the stage of going to Court
and a statement is required from you to support any
action taken by the Council your details can no longer be
kept confidential.
If you require further
information please contact:
The Environmental Protection Team,
Taunton Deane Borough Council,
The Deane House, Belvedere Road,
Taunton, TA1 1HE
Tel: 01823 356339 Fax: 01823 351801
Email: [email protected]
www.tauntondeane.gov.uk
If you would like this document translated
into other languages or in Braille, large
print, audio tape, or CD please telephone
us on 01823 356339 or email us at:
[email protected]
01823 356339
[email protected]
01823 356339
[email protected]
01823 356339
[email protected]
01823 356339
[email protected]
01823 356339
[email protected]
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