Date: 05/05/2009
Every year, High Peak Borough Council deals with many complaints about garden bonfires, which can be annoying for neighbours. Smoke, smuts and smells can prevent people from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out and can also add to air pollution.
It's much better to compost garden waste so that it can be used as a soil conditioner. Garden waste can also be disposed of using the green bin which the Council collects every fortnight.
It's a common mistake to believe that there are specific bye-laws to prohibit garden bonfires - there aren't. An occasional bonfire is unlikely to cause a problem for neighbours, if done in a sensible way. Persistent bonfires could, however, be regarded as a statutory nuisance and the Council may be able to take action.
So, if you have to have a garden bonfire, if you follow these guidelines, you'll reduce the chances of causing problems for your neighbours:
John Haken, Executive Councillor for the Environment said: "Garden bonfires can cause serious problems for High Peak residents, particular when they are persistent and carried out with no regard for other people.
"By following these simple guidelines, we hope people will be better informed should they decide to have a garden bonfire, which are a useful way of disposing of shrub and tree trimmings. However, I would encourage anyone who has general garden waste to dispose of it through their fortnightly green bin collection which is kinder to the environment and does not cause a nuisance."