Garden Bonfires

Bonfires may be fun but they are rarely the best way of getting rid of rubbish.

What's wrong with having a bonfire?

Smoke, smuts and the smell can cause people nearby great irritation. It can also cause breathing difficulties to anyone who already has breathing problems such as bronchitis and asthma sufferers. If materials such as plastic, rubber or painted materials are burnt then poisonous compounds will be produced.

Piles of garden rubbish are also used as a refuge by animals so look out for hibernating hedgehogs and toads and sleeping pets.

What does the law say?

Contrary to what many people believe there are no bye-laws about bonfires, whether banning them or restricting them to certain times. In basic terms, the law says that you must not create smoke or fumes from your home which are likely to be a risk to health or a nuisance.

In practice, to be considered a nuisance bonfires would have to be a regular problem and interfere with your neighbours enjoyment of their home or garden.

It is an offence to cause black smoke from a bonfire at anytime.

What if my neighbour's bonfires bother me?

The best thing to do is always talk to your neighbour and tell them how you feel. Very often people do not realise that their actions can bother others, and they think that everything is OK unless they are told otherwise. Try to negotiate with your neighbour; ask them to give you some warning first so that you can tell them if it's not convenient.

What are the alternatives?

In North Wiltshire there is no need to burn large amounts of rubbish as the Council provides a service to collect garden refuse and bulky items from your home for safe disposal. Garden refuse, which is compostable can be collected with the normal weekly collections if bagged up. If you have any other old furniture or other bulky items you should contact Cleansing and Amenity Services on (01249) 706352 to arrange a collection. Alternatively, you may wish to consider other options such as:-

a) Home Compost Bins - these can be purchased from most garden centres and are, at the moment, available through Wiltshire Agenda 21. For further information please contact (01380) 729218

b) Using the local recycling centres which are situated at:-

Stanton St Quintin, by the M4, Junction 17 on the B4122 Sutton Benger Road, Chippenham
-or-
Swindon, Barnfield Road, Great Western Way, Swindon
-or-
Bowerhill, Melksham

Bonfire Basics

Speak to your neighbour first to ensure you will not cause them a nuisance.
Decide whether the fire is really necessary or is it more considerate and more "environmentally friendly" to dispose of waste in your usual rubbish or using a collection from Cleansing and Amenity Services.
Only burn dry material.
Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing paint, plastic or foam. The fumes are POISONOUS.
Never use oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it to burn. This can not only cause dangerous fumes but can cause you serious injury.
If you must have a fire, burn on a warm, dry day. Smoke hangs in the air on damp days and in the evenings.
Avoid burning at weekends and evenings when your neighbours want to use their gardens.
Never leave a fire unattended. Keep it small and add small pieces gradually. When you leave it, douse it with water.

For further information and guidelines, please click on the link below, to the NSCA website, and search for Bonfires:

www.nsca.org.uk