fire

[caza1973]

is it illegal to have a garden fire, that is controlled, and kept a watch on, only burning garden stuff, weeds, grass, old branches off my trees, and has only happened twice this year?? Whinging neighbours, so rather than having a domestic, would like to know where i stand?

[hammerman]

It's up to individual councils. Most don't have any byelaws but if it keeps on, the neighbours can complain to the environment dept as it's classed as a nuicence.

If i was your neighbour, i'd probably be whinging too.....and i would have a domestic. We have a couple of women in the next street who continually have fires burning garden stuff. I've started keeping a photographic diary of it and i WILL stop them burning garden rubbish. Our house and all our clothes stink of bonfires afterwards and we can't sit in the garden or conservatory.

Grass, weeds and most other green garden waste produces loads of smoke. Either compost it or take it to the local tip

[vehelpfulguy]

The thing with a garden fire is that it should be done when people have NOT got their washing out, or their windows or doors open.

It does not matter if it is illegal or not, those things are important to keep the neighbours happy.

So a garden fire at 2pm on a sunny Sunday is not going to win you any friends, a garden fire at 9pm on a coldish night will probably not upset anybody.

Note that all councils have places where you can take garden rubbish to it is not essential to burn it.

[Postdog]

Try your local council website to see if there are rules. Generally though, I'd agree with the above comments, except to add that if your fires cause a lot of smoke, then they probably would be considered a nuisance.

[kwicky]

The most important thing about having a fire in the garden is to make sure the wind is blowing in the direction you want the smoke to go. (ie away from neigbours) There is nothing worse than smoke blown in your direction. This also applies to barbeques.

[Buenchico]

As Hammerman states, individual councils may have byelaws prohibiting bonfires. However, if you live in a fairly modern house, you should also check the deeds for any covenants which might apply. I live on a 1970s (Barratt homes) estate; there are various covenants which apply throughout the estate. These include the prohibition of external TV aerials (which is completely ignored by every single household) and the prohibition of garden fires (which is rigorously 'policed' by a large number of my neighbours).

Chris

[caza1973]

so it is not illegal then?? As have 100 foot garden, that was totally overgrown when house bought, including sevaral trees, and had spoken to the neighbour before hand to say that would be tidying up garden, thought it was a little unfair for her to whinge under her breathe, when im trying to improve it, for her as well as myself, as weeds going through to her garden, and unfortunately do not have budget or vehicle, to make probably 25/30 trips to skip..no joke! Thank you for all answers though, and will maybe give her more warning next time i have to light a fire.