Is my neighbour allowed to burn their garden waste?
There is no law against having bonfires, though it is an offence for the smoke, or the smell of the smoke, to cause a nuisance. Smoke from garden bonfires in a residential area can seriously affect the residential amenity and enjoyment of other premises. It can also contribute to local air pollution levels and, in some locations, reduce visibility on nearby roads. If you are bothered by persistent bonfire smoke, in the first instance you should approach your neighbour and explain the problem. In many cases the people responsible are not aware of the annoyance or distress they may be causing. If this approach fails you should contact your Environmental & Consumer Protection Service and where a complaint is made the council has a statutory duty to investigate it. If the bonfire is very occasional it may be difficult to regard it as a nuisance but any complaint received will be investigated.
