Garden bonfires have been a traditional way of disposing of garden rubbish but they often cause a nuisance to neighbours from smoke, smell or dirt. They also contribute to air pollution. As a means of disposal, bonfires are becoming less and less acceptable. These pages aim to encourage householders to give up bonfires and to suggest some alternatives.
The Problems
- Bonfires can be very annoying to neighbours - usually from smoke or smell. This can stop them from enjoying their garden, prevent them from opening their windows, or hanging out washing. This is especially a problem if your neighbour or their children are asthmatic or have a chest condition.
- Bonfires cause air pollution. They can produce irritating and even poisonous compounds that contribute to poor air quality, which everyone nearby then has to breathe in.
- Bonfire smoke can also cause a hazard to road users by reducing visibility.
- Bonfires can cause a fire hazard if they are close to trees or fences and especially if left unattended.
What's the Legal Position?
There are no specific laws that prohibit garden bonfires, nor any which restricts them to certain hours of the day, days of the week or number per year.
If, however, a garden bonfire causes what is called a "statutory nuisance", the Council can serve a legal notice on the person responsible requiring them to stop causing the nuisance. Failure to do so is then an offence for which they can be prosecuted. Under the same legislation any person affected by a bonfire can also lodge a complaint at the Magistrates Court alleging nuisance, which will then be dealt with by the court. If it is found that a nuisance did exist the person responsible can be fined by the court.
Bonfire Guidelines
If after having carefully considered the alternatives you still decide to have a bonfire, there are some guidelines that will help to ensure that you don't cause a nuisance:
- Only burn dry material.
- Never burn household rubbish or anything with plastic, foam, paint, or rubber in it.
- Never use old engine oil, methylated spirits, or petrol to light or encourage a fire. Not only does this make smoke, it is also very dangerous.
- Avoid lighting fires in unsuitable weather conditions such as damp, still days.
- Avoid times when the wind will blow smoke over roads or into neighbours gardens.
- Avoid burning when people want to enjoy their gardens such as weekends or Bank Holidays.
- Air Quality is described using four bands - LOW, MODERATE, HIGH and VERY HIGHT. Avoid burning when air quality in the area is anything other than Low. You can check this by telephoning the Air Pollution Bulletin Service on Freephone 0800-556677 or by looking the UK National Air Quality Information Archive which gives daily levels of air pollution.
- Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder.
- Bear in mind the law of statutory nuisance mentioned above; regular smoky bonfires - or even a single one which is very polluting - could be regarded as a statutory nuisance and result in a legal notice being served on you by the Council.
What are the alternatives?
1. Take it to the tip
You can take your garden rubbish to one of the Stroud District Council refuse disposal points.
These are located at:
Pyke Quarry (Horsley)
This is two miles west of HORSLEY on the B4058, Wotton under Edge road.
Hempsted, (Gloucester)
This is one mile from Gloucester Docks along Llanthony Road then Hempsted Lane. Turn right just before the roundabout (signposted) when travelling towards Hempsted
These are managed by Gloucestershire County Council. View more details and opening times by clicking the link below:
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleID=1424
2. Hold or attend a garden shredding event
Do you and your neighbours have garden waste that could be shredded and turned into material suitable for mulching beds or borders?
You can arrange with our grounds maintenance contractor, Serviceteam to have a chipping machine brought to your property for a community composting event. These events are advertised to local residents and are open for anybody in the neighbourhood to bring their green waste to the designated site for mulching.
If you would like to hold an event please contact Serviceteam on 01453 731283.
3. Compost your garden and household waste
Some garden waste and household waste is suitable for composting. See our composting page for information about how to go about it.
