SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Having a garden bonfire at any time of the day is not illegal

EVERY year South Somerset District Council receives a significant number of complaints about domestic bonfires – but there is nothing it can do apart from appeal to people to think of others when lighting fires in the garden.

Domestic bonfires can be very irritating to neighbours; the smoke can ruin the enjoyment of your neighbours when in the garden, prevent them from opening their windows or hanging out their washing. They can also reduce visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads causing safety hazards.

Domestic bonfires also cause air pollution which can have damaging health effects and people with existing health problems are especially vulnerable, while they can also be dangerous from a safety point of view, spreading to fences or neighbouring buildings and they are often used by hibernating animals as a safe refuge.

There are other disposal methods which are far less environmentally damaging such as composting and recycling (further information can be found at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/environment/recycling-and-waste) or arranging for the items to be collected by a registered waste carrier (further information can be found at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/environment/recycling-and-waste).

But the council’s environmental health spokesman, Cllr Carol Goodall, said: “Many people wrongly assume that there are specific byelaws prohibiting garden bonfires or specifying certain times when they are allowable, but there aren’t.

“However, this does not mean you have a license to burn indiscriminately. Occasionally, it may be the best practicable way to dispose of woody or diseased waste that cannot be composted. Bonfires are also used to mark traditional celebrations – especially the 5th November.”

A bonfire can be a useful way of disposing of garden waste that cannot be composted or perhaps you want a bonfire to mark an event like Bonfire night. If you do have a bonfire, warn your neighbours. They are much less likely to complain and follow these good bonfire guidelines:

Only burn dry material.

Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint.

Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days. If it is too windy smoke blows into neighbour’s gardens and windows and across roads.

Keep your fire away from trees, fences and buildings.

Never use oil, petrol or methylated spirits to light a fire – you could damage yourself as well as the environment.

Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder – put it out.

For safety advice, search for bonfire at Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service’s site: www.dsfire.gov.uk/ or visit the Safer Fireworks site: http://www.saferfireworks.com/.

If you require further information/advice or want to make a complaint about a nuisance bonfire, please contact the environmental protection team at South Somerset District Council on 01935-462462 or email enhpollution@southsomerset.gov.uk.

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