Bonfires, what’s the problem?
Bonfires are often viewed as an easy and simple way to dispose of gardening waste but bonfires can cause considerable nuisance to local residents and fellow plot holders.
The following can occur if a bonfire is burning locally:- Asthmatics can have breathing difficulties
- People cannot open windows on warm days
- People avoid using their garden
- Visibility of drivers on nearby roads may be affected
- The smoke can make washing smell
- Fire can spread, risking life.
The Alternatives
There are a number of alternative ways to dispose of allotment waste rather than lighting a bonfire.
Composting is by far the best way to deal with garden waste. After a few months, the garden waste will be converted into
an excellent soil conditioner and peat substitute. If you have no compost bin, dig a 2 ft deep trench for the material and
cover with earth to the top. That's what gardeners did before the advent of plastics. They would work their way across the
plot to help improve the fertility.
Garden Waste can also be disposed of through the Council’s Green Waste collection service – Contact the Bristol City Council -
Customer Services Centre for information.
What if I still want to light a bonfire?
A bonfire can be a Statutory Nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which could then result in formal action by the Council. For example, if smoke materially interferes with the use and enjoyment of neighbouring properties an Abatement Notice will be served requiring the fire to be put out and prevent the reoccurrence of the Nuisance. Failure to comply with the Notice would be an offence on summary conviction with maximum fines of £5000 for domestic premises.
Someone else's bonfire
If someone else’s bonfire is causing you a problem you can take the following action:
Firstly, ask the person who is responsible if they can put out the bonfire and explain to them your problems.
If this doesn't work, contact your site rep if he/she is available.
If it is still causing you a problem the Association may be forced to contact the Pollution Control Team at Bristol City Council.
Whilst we would always recommend that you find alternative more acceptable means of disposal, if you still wish to light a bonfire then please follow these guidelines in order to minimise the risk of causing a nuisance:
- use dry material only
- Avoid burning at weekends and Bank Holidays as these are the times when people are more likely to be affected outdoors.
- Do not burn tyres, cables, plastics, rubber, painted products or any § household waste.
- Do not leave a burning fire unattended and do not allow it to smoulder overnight. Extinguish it completely before leaving your plot.
- Warn neighbouring plot holders that you are intending to run a fire and make sure that no washing is hanging out in the vicinity. (i.e. on the other side of our boundary fences).
- Winds are capricious so be alert to sudden changes and extinguish the fire if necessary. Don’t light a bonfire if the wind is gusty and anything above calm airs.
- Thick wood, infected [diseased] material and convolvulus or 'mares tail' roots should be kept under cover and allowed to thoroughly dry out before burning. Turn it over from time to time and ensure plenty of ventilation. Burn in the winter.
- "Bonfires" includes incinerators. These can produce as much offensive smoke as open fires.
- Remember that composting generates heat which will kill off weed seeds.
- Finally, there is very little reason for bonfires to be used during the Spring and Summer months. Compost it, dig it in or save.
Download a Word version of this notice.
