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The council's advice for limiting smoke pollution and safety for bonfires.

Have a problem? Report it on the link below.

Report a Problem with bonfires and smoke

Completing this service should take around 5 minutes.

To complete this service you will need.

  • Details of the issue 
  • Your contact details

You can also use this form to report

  • Grit and dust
  • Odour and Fumes
  • Light Pollution
  • Air Pollution
  • Any other type of pollution
Report a Problem with bonfires and smoke

Legal action may be taken in the Magistrates Court against those causing smoke nuisance and deposit nuisance from bonfires with a maximum fine of £5000.

Domestic and Allotment

  • Avoid bonfires by composting or using the Council’s garden waste bin collection service. 
  • Utilise the Council’s bulky waste collection scheme for furniture and household items. Bulky waste collection
  • Builder or tradesman-caused bonfires are not allowed and will be investigated by the Environment Agency.

Garden bonfires: You’re allowed garden bonfires in smoke control areas but you need to follow the rules on bonfires.

Commercial and Industrial

  • Emission of dark smoke is strictly prohibited and may lead to prosecution with a maximum fine of £5,000 per offence.
  • The maximum penalty for causing statutory nuisance from trade premises is £20,000.
  • Waste from business activities should not be disposed of by burning and will be investigated by the Environment Agency.

Smoke Control Areas

  • Burning ordinary coal, wood, or garden waste is an offence under the Clean Air Act, punishable by fines up to £1,000.
  • Use of any stove or appliance vented by a chimney, including garden, greenhouse, and allotment stoves, is regulated. Wood is not an authorised fuel.

Find out more about

Authorised Fuels and Exempt Appliances

  • Only authorised smokeless fuel, which can be ignited by bottled gas, firelighters or electric igniters, may be burned in Smoke Control Areas.
  • In addition to using smokeless fuel, you should ensure that the appliance being used is an approved appliance and is suitable for burning the authorised fuel.
  • There are exempted appliances available, some of which can be used within a Smoke Control Area for burning normally unauthorised fuel, such as coal or wood.

Find a full list of authorised fuel and appliances on the following website.

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