one of my neighbours are burning all sorts of things. Dont get me wrong,i love the smell etc...Theres only so much you can put in wheely bins.

Do you live near Mr Ripper?

burppp...sorry

If only dry garden waste is burnt the occasional bonfire should not cause a major problem. However, if your neighbour is causing a problem by burning rubbish,you can use the law. 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 nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a persistent problem, interfering substantially with your well being, comfort or enjoyment of your property. If a bonfire of industrial/commercial waste is emitting black smoke it is dealt with under the Clean Air Act 1993.

If you are bothered by smoke, approach your neighbour and explain the problem. You might feel awkward, 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 the council's environmental health. 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 magistrate's court.


The NSCA Factsheet Pollution, Nuisance and the Law explains the situation in more detail. If the fire is occasional it is unlikely to be considered a nuisance in law. If you are being troubled by bonfires from different neighbours, each only burning occasionally, a nuisance action would be difficult as there are several offenders. In this situation encourage them to consider any alternatives.If the smoke is going across any road and is endangering traffic then the person responsible for the fire faces a fine.This comes under the Highways Act 1980. Contact the police in this case.

Air Pollution Burning garden waste produces smoke, especially if it is damp and smouldering. This will contain pollutants including carbon monoxide, dioxins and particles. Burning plastic, rubber or painted materials not only creates an unpleasant smell but also produces a range of poisonous compounds.

Emissions from bonfires can have damaging health effects. Serious harm is unlikely if exposure to bonfire smoke is brief. However problems may be caused if your asthmatics, a bronchitis sufferer, have a heart condition and especially to children.

The smoke and smell from bonfires are the subject of many complaints to local authorities. Smoke prevents people from enjoying their garden, opening windows or hanging washing out, and reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads.

Fire can spread to fences or buildings and cans are a hazard when rubbish is burned.

If a bonfire is the most practicable and environmentally friendly way to dispose of dry garden waste (for example, diseased plant that cannot be composted) then it would be polite of him to inform you.

Only dry material should be burnt. He shouldn't be burning household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything plastic, foam or paint .

Exactly.

With this fortnightly rubbish collection system that our clown councillors have introduced you need to burn stuff.

I have one of those chimnea thingys on my patio and fire it up most weekends during the summer whilst sat outside drinking various alcoholic beverages. You can't beat a good burn up whilst getting steadily drunk.

In addition to the wood which goes on it so do a lot of the contents of my "white bag" as otherwise it would be overflowing well before collection day.

pissed up and starting fires. Can I come round to help?