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Bonfires
Although there are no specific byelaws about bonfires and you are entitled to have a bonfire to dispose of garden waste, you are not entitled to cause a nuisance by having a bonfire.
Your neighbours are entitled to enjoy their homes and gardens.
It is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cause a nuisance by burning rubbish.
There are environmentally friendly alternatives to bonfires such as using the Council's recycling and composting including the green waste collection service.
If you want to have a bonfire:
Warn your neighbours, be considerate and polite, perhaps agree on a time for the bonfire
Burn dry material as it produces less smoke, do not burn freshly cut material
Do not burn household rubbish, rubber, plastic, paint or foam as they can produce poisonous compounds
Never use old engine oil, methylated spirit or petrol to light the fire
Look at the weather, smoke hangs in the air when it is still and damp, or will blow into a neighbours garden if it is windy. Hot, sultry days can cause the smoke to linger at low levels
Remember that your neighbours are more likely to be in their gardens or have windows open if the weather is warm and at weekends and bank holidays
Do not leave the fire unattended or smouldering, think about keeping some water nearby to douse if necessary
If you are being bothered by a bonfire:
Approach the neighbour, be polite and explain the problem it is causing, try and reach a compromise about when bonfires could cause less of a problem
If the smoke is drifting across the road and is a danger to traffic contact the police
If the problem persists contact environmental.protection@sevenoaks.gov.uk or telephone 01732 227000.
You can read more about bonfires and the law by going to the direct.gov website
Useful links
www.environmental-protection.org.uk - A charity concerned with environmental protection
www.hdra.org.uk - For advice on composting garden waste
09 January 2009
