Bonfires

There is no law against having bonfires, though it is an offence for 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 materials are dry and burn quickly creating little smoke, then there is usually little problem, providing the smoke does not blow directly towards occupied premises. Damp vegetation, however, does not burn well as it produces large volumes of smoke and smoulders for long periods of time. The burning of this type of waste causes most complaints and so it should be disposed of in other ways.

The Council's policy with regard to bonfires is to seek the co-operation of residents in avoiding nuisance from bonfires by asking that garden waste and other material is composted or taken to a civic amenity site. Garden shredders significantly reduce the volume of garden waste, making it easier to handle, and can speed up the composting process. If there is no alternative to having a bonfire then the burning should be carried out when the weather conditions are suitable.

Surrey County Council provides civic amenity sites at Chaldon Road, Caterham and Bond Road, Warlingham.

Nuisance

A single bonfire is unlikely to be a nuisance even though it may cause annoyance to one or more neighbours. In order to be a nuisance, there has to be evidence about the frequency of the bonfires, their duration, the locality and how the bonfire directly affects the complainants enjoyment of their land. Complainants are advised to keep a diary of serious smoke incidents and note the details on the record of bonfire incidents.

Complaints may be made on the Environmental Health complaint form.