It is not illegal to have a bonfire and there are no local bye-laws preventing you having one, however you must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. Nuisance can be determined under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and legal action can be taken in certain circumstances. A smoky bonfire or having garden bonfires on a frequent basis that adversely affect residential premises around you may well cause a nuisance and that can be an offence. So, if you want to have the occasional garden bonfire - you will minimise the effect on your neighbours by taking the following precautions
- Only burn dry materials
- Consider the time of day and environmental conditions such as wind direction and speed
- Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, plastics, foam, paint, treated or painted fence panels/ or wood
- Never use solvents such as methylated spirits or petrol to light or encourage a fire
- Never have a bonfire in unsuitable weather conditions
- Avoid burning at weekends, bank holidays and when neighbours want to enjoy their gardens
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Douse with water if bonfire becomes a nuisance
For further advice, contact environmentalhealth@scilly.gov.uk
For the burning of commercial waste follow this link to Burning of Waste