Bonfires and Smoke

Domestic and Allotment

• Avoid bonfires by composting or using the Council’s garden waste bin collection service. 
• Utilise the Council’s bulky waste collection scheme for furniture and household items. Bulky waste collection
• Builder or tradesman-caused bonfires are not allowed and will be investigated by the Environment Agency.

Garden bonfires: You’re allowed garden bonfires in smoke control areas but you need to follow the rules on bonfires.

• Garden bonfires: the rules - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Commercial and Industrial

• Emission of dark smoke is strictly prohibited and may lead to prosecution with a maximum fine of £5,000 per offence.
• The maximum penalty for causing statutory nuisance from trade premises is £20,000.
• Waste from business activities should not be disposed of by burning and will be investigated by the Environment Agency.

Smoke Control Areas

• Burning ordinary coal, wood, or garden waste is an offence under the Clean Air Act, punishable by fines up to £1,000.
• Use of any stove or appliance vented by a chimney, including garden, greenhouse, and allotment stoves, is regulated. Wood is not an authorised fuel.

Find out more about

• Smoke control areas and wood burning stoves.
• Smoke Control Areas (SCA) - Defra, UK

Authorised Fuels and Exempt Appliances

• Only authorised smokeless fuel, which can be ignited by bottled gas, firelighters or electric igniters, may be burned in Smoke Control Areas.
• In addition to using smokeless fuel, you should ensure that the appliance being used is an approved appliance and is suitable for burning the authorised fuel.
• There are exempted appliances available, some of which can be used within a Smoke Control Area for burning normally unauthorised fuel, such as coal or wood.

Find a full list of authorised fuel and appliances on the following website.

• Appliances - Exempt Appliances – Clean Air Act Data Entry System (defra.gov.uk)
• Fuels - Authorised/Certified Fuels – Clean Air Act Data Entry System (defra.gov.uk)
• Apply for an appliance exemption - Use in smoke control areas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)