We can act on smoke complaints from bonfires, log burners, wood burning installations, chimneys and flues at domestic, commercial or industrial properties if the smoke is considered to be a statutory nuisance.
For the smoke to count as a statutory nuisance it must do one of the following:
- unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises
- injure health or be likely to injure health
How to report a smoke complaint
Before you report a smoke complaint, you should try to speak to the person or commercial business responsible for the smoke.
If this does not solve the problem or you feel unable to approach those responsible, use the online form to report it.
To act on a smoke complaint, we need to monitor the smoke from within your home or premises. You will be asked to complete a bonfire diary or smoke diary for 14 days before we investigate unless the smoke is continuous.
What to consider when having a bonfire
If you have considered the alternatives and a bonfire is still the best practical option for disposing of your garden waste, you should:
- warn your neighbours - lighting a bonfire can cause nuisance to your neighbours especially if it is a sunny day with washing out and windows open
- only burn dry material - this is likely to cause less smoke
- never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint - these can cause harmful emissions
- never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light or encourage the fire
- avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions - smoke hangs in the air on damp days and in the evening, if it is windy smoke may be blown into gardens and across roads
- avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens
- never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder
Burning waste from another site
It is an offence to bring waste from another site and burn it, for example tradesmen bringing waste home and burning it.
Burning waste on a trade premises
If the bonfire takes place on trade or industrial premises then there is an additional power given by the Clean Air Act 1993 where the bonfire is giving off dark or black smoke.