Bonfires and Smoke

Before deciding on a bonfire, consider whether the waste can be composted, recycled or disposed of with the household waste.

Thanet District Council recommends that all combustible waste be taken to the civic amenity waste recycling centre at Manston Road, Margate.

For more information regarding the disposal of your waste please see waste & recycling pages.

There are no restrictions preventing bonfires upon private residential property as long as they do not cause a nuisance to other people and the smoke does not affect the highway.  Where there is no alternative disposal method, and incineration is necessary,  to minimise the risk of causing nuisance and possible legal action, if you plan to have a bonfire, follow these guidelines:

• only burn dry material
• never burn household waste, plastics, rubber, foam or paint
• never use oil, petrol or solvents to light or encourage a fire
• avoid fires on damp or still days, or in the evening
• take account of the wind direction
• avoid burning on Sundays or Bank Holidays if you can
• never leave a fire unattended

Making a complaint

For further advice or to make a complaint about bonfires, please contact a member of Environmental Health by filling in our request for service form and returning it to us, by email or by telephone on 01843 577580.

There are a number of different enforcement powers that Thanet District Council can use in particular circumstances to control smoke from bonfires as detailed below:

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that smoke emitted from premises can be a statutory nuisance and action can be taken in this matter.  However, to be considered a nuisance a bonfire would have to be a regular problem and interfering substantially with your well-being, comfort and enjoyment of your property.

If you are troubled by a series of bonfires from different neighbours, each who has a bonfire only occasionally, this could be considered a nuisance and action may be taken against the persons responsible.

Environmental Health

E-mail:

environmental.health
@thanet.gov.uk 

Tel: 01843 577580

Fax: 01843 290906