Garden bonfire/ burning bin

You will find out the time if you upset your neighbours by some body hanging over the fence shouting who the Bl**ding hell has got a fire going at 8 oclock at night....jacob

We always light ours after it gets dark. We make sure no clothes are on the washing line`s and neighbours windows are closed, as the wind always changes direction when we`ve lit it.

A couple of years ago I spent ages on the internet trying to fing out the law regarding bonfires, and apparently there is no Law! Personally we tell the neighbours before lighting it, and they tell us, so we can make sure there's no laundry out. Sod and his law always changes the wind direction as soon as the fire gets going anyway, so you fill your own house with smoke and soot!

There isn't a national law, but there may be local by-laws. Only place to find out about that is locally.....

Hope this helps, from the government site:

Bonfires and the Law
It is a common misconception that there are specific bye-laws to prohibit bonfires - There aren’t. An outright ban would be difficult to enforce and very occasionally a bonfire is the best practicable way to dispose of garden waste. If used sensitively, the occasional bonfire should not cause a major problem.

However, where a neighbour is causing a problem by burning rubbish the law is on your side. Under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990, a statutory nuisance includes smoke, fumes or gases emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance”. In practice, to be considered a statutory nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a persistent problem, interfering substantially with your wellbeing, comfort or enjoyment of your property.

If bothered by smoke, approach your neighbour and explain the problem. You might feet awkward, but they may not be aware of the distress they are causing and it will hopefully make them more considerate in the future. If this fails, contact your local council’s environmental health department. They must investigate your complaint and can issue a nuisance abatement notice under the EPA. The Act also allows you to take private action in the magistrates’ court. The NSCA fact sheet Pollution, Nuisance and the Law explains the legal position in more detail. If the fire is only occasional it is unlikely to be considered a nuisance in law. Similarly, if you are being troubled r bonfires from different neighbours, each only burning occasionally, a are several nuisance action would be difficult as there offenders. In this situation encourage them to consider the alternatives, give them a copy of this leaflet! Finally, under the Highways Act 1980 anyone lighting a fire and allowing smoke to drift across a road faces a fine if it endangers traffic. Contact the police in this case.
Barbeques
Barbeques can also cause a smoke problem especially if weather is still and sunny, a you use lighter fuel. If the barbeque will contribute to photochemical smog (this is formed in the summer, by the action of sunlight on pollutants). Again, be considerate. If you are having a barbeque tell your neighbours. Don’t ignite it when they have got their washing out, and if its windy check that smoke won’t blow straight into neighbouring properties.
But I Like Bonfires...
A bonfire can be a convenient way of getting rid of a large amount of waste, or perhaps you want a bonfire just for fun - on Guy Fawkes night for instance. If a bonfire is the most practicable and environmentally friendly way to dispose of
dry garden waste (for example, diseased plant material that cannot much be less composted) warn your neighbours Remember that thy bonfire are and barbecue parties can cause noise as well as smoke.
Bonfire Guidelines
If a bonfire is the best practicable option for disposing of garden waste, follow these guidelines and the chances are you won’t annoy your neighbours or cause a serious nuisance.
_. Only burn dry material
_. Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything containing plastic, foam or paint
_. Never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it
_. Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening. If is windy, smoke may be blown into neighbours’ gardens and across roads
_. Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens
_. Avoid burning when air pollution in your area is high or very high. This information is included in weather forecasts, or you can check by ringing 0800 556677
Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder douse it with water if necessary.

Bonfire Guidelines
If a bonfire is the best practicable option for disposing of garden waste, follow these guidelines and the chances are you won’t annoy your neighbours or cause a serious nuisance.
_. Only burn dry material
_. Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything containing plastic, foam or paint
_. Never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it
_. Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening. If is windy, smoke may be blown into neighbours’ gardens and across roads
_. Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens
_. Avoid burning when air pollution in your area is high or very high. This information is included in weather forecasts, or you can check by ringing 0800 556677
Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder douse it with water if necessary.


The trouble with some of the above guidelines is that if you avoid weekends and bank holidays, and evenings, and damp days, and when people have washing out, there isn't any time left when you CAN have a bonfire!!

Bonfire Guidelines
If a bonfire is the best practicable option for disposing of garden waste, follow these guidelines and the chances are you won’t annoy your neighbours or cause a serious nuisance.
_. Only burn dry material
_. Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything containing plastic, foam or paint
_. Never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it
_. Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening. If is windy, smoke may be blown into neighbours’ gardens and across roads
_. Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens
_. Avoid burning when air pollution in your area is high or very high. This information is included in weather forecasts, or you can check by ringing 0800 556677
Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder douse it with water if necessary.


The trouble with some of the above guidelines is that if you avoid weekends and bank holidays, and evenings, and damp days, and when people have washing out, there isn't any time left when you CAN have a bonfire!!

Want to go for a hat-trick Hilary LOL!?

I'm SURE I only posted it once!!!

We have one of those cast iron garden heater thingies. I only burn very dry seasoned hardwood on it. Someone told me the other day that they are to be banned because of the nuisance they cause. Can anyone update me?