See Also
Weblinks:
Environmental Protection UK
http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/
Contact Us
Environmental Services
Email:
environmental.services
@thanet.gov.uk
Phone:
01843 577580
Fax:
01843 290906
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 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.
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.