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Bonfire - Karen F (25th Mar 2011 - 14:00:25) Grrrrrrrr, I have all the doors open, two loads of washing out on the line and now some twit who is clearing (legally or illegally) the Bohunt Manor site over the road from me has the stinkiest and smokiest bonfire ever seen. Do we have a right to tell him to put it out or do we just have to suffer and stink of smoke? Where do we stand, anyone know?

Re: Bonfire - liz (25th Mar 2011 - 14:47:39) I thought it was illegal to allow smoke from a bonfire to drift across a road. Probably too late to save your washing now though!

Re: Bonfire - Tracey (25th Mar 2011 - 21:27:39) Laws about nuisance caused by bonfires There aren’t specific laws against having a bonfire, or when you can have one – but there are Acts that deal with the nuisance they can cause. Burning domestic waste It is an offence to get rid of domestic waste in a way likely to cause pollution or harm to human health, including burning it. Burning plastic, rubber or painted materials creates poisonous fumes. These can have damaging health effects – particularly for people with existing health problems, like asthmatics and people with heart conditions. This is covered under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Environmental Protection Act 1990Opens new window Danger to traffic caused by smoke Under the Highways Act 1980, anyone lighting a fire and allowing smoke to drift across a road faces a fine if it endangers traffic. If this happens, call the police. Highways Act 1980Opens new window Find a police force, neighbourhood policing team or police authority Think about how your bonfire may affect your neighbours There are ways to get rid of your garden waste without having a bonfire If you are having a bonfire, the smoke and smell created by it can annoy your neighbours. Smoke can stop people enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out. If your neighbour has a bonfire and it affects you, speak to them and explain the problem. They may not be aware of the distress they are causing – and may have not thought about other ways to dispose of the waste, like composting. Complaining to your council about bonfires If speaking to your neighbour fails, contact your local council's environmental health department. In most cases, officers from the council will try to deal with the problem informally. To be considered a nuisance, bonfires need to be a regular occurrence and seriously interfere with your well-being. If the bonfire is only occasional, eg a couple of times a year, it’s unlikely to be considered a nuisance in law. If the council considers a bonfire to be a nuisance, it can issue an ‘abatement notice’. This notice may mean your neighbour must stop having bonfires completely. If they do not stick to the notice (‘comply’) they face a fine of up to £5000 and a further £500 for each day they don't comply. Find your local councilOpens new window If you do have a bonfire If you have a bonfire, warn your neighbours – they are much less likely to complain A bonfire may be the only way of disposing of garden waste that shouldn’t be composted, like diseased wood. If you have a bonfire, follow these simple guidelines: warn your neighbours beforehand - they are much less likely to complain light the bonfire at a time least likely to affect your neighbours, eg not on a warm day when people will be in their garden only burn dry material not damp, which causes more smoke avoid lighting a bonfire when air pollution in your area is high – check the weather forecast, or the Air Quality website

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