Bonfires
Our Responsibilities
North Devon Council does not have by bylaws prohibiting bonfires.
However, some bonfires may constitute a public nuisance (i.e. have an unreasonable effect on someone’s enjoyment of their home or garden) and in such cases NDC may take enforcement action.
We may also take action:
Our Responsibilities
North Devon Council does not have by bylaws prohibiting bonfires.
However, some bonfires may constitute a public nuisance (i.e. have an unreasonable effect on someone’s enjoyment of their home or garden) and in such cases NDC may take enforcement action.
We may also take action:
- where a bonfire on trade premises causes dark smoke
- where smoke has been allowed to drift across a road, the Police may consider the matter to represent a road traffic hazard
N.B. All cases must be reviewed on a case specific basis
Your Responsibilities
If you plan to light a bonfire, please consider carefully the affect on your neighbours. There are a number of tips to avoid nuisance.
Bonfires on trade premises causing dark smoke is an offence which could result in a fine up to £20,000 for each offence (section 2, Clean Air Act 1993
).
Allowing smoke to drift on to a highway is an offence which could result in a fine of up to £2000 (Highways (Amendment) Act 1986).
If a bonfire annoys you, the first approach is to speak to the owner of the bonfire. The direct approach may be embarrassing, but if you can explain the problem that it is causing, they may be more considerate in future.
In any case where you believe a bonfire is a nuisance you should be prepared to produce a diary of events, including dates and times of the nuisance caused and its effect on you with the support of witnesses, if possible. This could help assist officers investigating the matter or in any legal action.
Where you decide to take your own legal action you may wish to take advice from a local law centre or Citizens Advice bureau.
Your Responsibilities
If you plan to light a bonfire, please consider carefully the affect on your neighbours. There are a number of tips to avoid nuisance.
Bonfires on trade premises causing dark smoke is an offence which could result in a fine up to £20,000 for each offence (section 2, Clean Air Act 1993
).Allowing smoke to drift on to a highway is an offence which could result in a fine of up to £2000 (Highways (Amendment) Act 1986
).If a bonfire annoys you, the first approach is to speak to the owner of the bonfire. The direct approach may be embarrassing, but if you can explain the problem that it is causing, they may be more considerate in future.
In any case where you believe a bonfire is a nuisance you should be prepared to produce a diary of events, including dates and times of the nuisance caused and its effect on you with the support of witnesses, if possible. This could help assist officers investigating the matter or in any legal action.
Where you decide to take your own legal action you may wish to take advice from a local law centre or Citizens Advice
bureau.To contact the Customer Service Centre:
Telephone: 01271 388870
For Typetalk: precede with 18001
Fax: 01271 388451
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk
Textphone (callers must have Typetalk compatible equipment; this number does not support voice communication or SMS): 01271 388786 (during our normal working hours)
Web form: send us a web enquiry
Our office hours are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
For further information see the Environmental Health service contact page
