Remember it is not illegal to have a garden waste bonfire and there are no local bye-laws preventing you having one, however you must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
A smoky bonfire or having garden bonfires on a frequent basis may well cause a nuisance and that can be an offence.
How to minimise effects from burning
- Only burn dry materials
- Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, plastics, foam, paint, treated or painted fence panels/ or wood.
- Never use solvents such as meths or petrol to light or encourage a fire
- Never have a bonfire in unsuitable weather conditions
- Avoid burning at weekends, bank holidays and when neighbours want to enjoy their gardens
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Douse with water if bonfire becomes a nuisance
Alternatives to burning
To avoid causing any nuisance by having a bonfire, alternative methods of disposal are available.
- Composting, if done properly, could save money on purchasing commercially available compost
- Arrange a green garden waste collection
- If you have means of transport you could take your waste to one of the council’s recycling centres