To protect the health and wellbeing of everyone during the coronavirus outbreak, we are requesting that residents refrain from lighting bonfires.
Many residents who would normally be out at work or school are now confined to their homes.
Smoke could deny your neighbours from enjoying their garden and have a serious impact on their health - especially where they are self-isolating due to medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease.
Any garden waste can be either composted or collected together until such time as other more appropriate disposal methods are available.
Household waste and recyclable waste should be put into the respective waste bins as normal to await collection.
You can report a nuisance using our contact us form, please select 'environmental health' from the list of services.
Please be aware that due to the coronavirus outbreak, we are operating a limited service.
Cases where there is a risk to human health will be prioritised. All site visits are suspended until further notice.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if a bonfire is a regular problem and interferes substantially with wellbeing, comfort or enjoyment of your property it is considered a statutory nuisance.
'One-off' fires that are very large, produce excessive amounts of smoke and left to burn for long periods of time may also be considered a statutory nuisance if they significantly impact neighbours.
Dark smoke from commercial bonfires
It is an offence to cause or permit the emission of dark smoke from industrial or trade premises under the Clean Air Act 1993.
Under section 2 of the Clean Air Act 1993 we can prosecute if an emission of dark smoke has taken place. An offence under this section of the Act can result in a fine of up to £20,000.
Dark smoke is regarded as being particularly serious because it usually indicates that the material being burnt is giving rise to toxic pollution. To prevent this occurring we would advise you do not burn materials such as tyres, oil, plastics, any treated woods (including window frames), painted materials or chipboard.
Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994
The burning of commercial waste may also be illegal under legislation including the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994.
This is enforced by the Environment Agency.
Waste produced during the course of normal business activity should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Generally speaking, the Environment Agency prohibits the disposal of waste by bonfires on commercial sites.
If you believe a commercial premises is burning their waste, contact the Environment Agency's Pollution Incident line (24 hours) on 0800 807060.
Domestic bonfires
If you have garden waste to dispose of, try and compost as much as possible. Consider using a shredding machine, which can reduce hardwood materials into mulch for use on your garden.
If you must light a bonfire, ensure that the material to be burnt is dry. This will minimise the amount of smoke produced.
Commercial bonfires
A commercial bonfire could be a bonfire on industrial premises, trade premises, demolition sites and land being used for commercial agriculture or horticulture purposes.
Commercial premises and builders should not use bonfires to dispose of any rubbish produced as a result of their operations. The only exception to this is the burning of diseased wood on site, which is permitted in certain cases.
Common complaints about commercial bonfires include the smoke and smell: