Bonfire Nuisances

Description of Service

Bonfires are a common source of annoyance and complaint. Yet with a little consideration and concern for the well-being of others, the vast majority of problems can be resolved amicably.

A number of myths exist about bonfires. The facts, however, are:

• It is not an offence to simply light a bonfire on domestic premises.
• There is no law that restricts the hours that a bonfire can be alight.
• No part of the Borough of Swindon is a ‘smokeless zone’; so there is no absolute restriction on the use of standard coal or wood in fireplaces.

Despite these facts there are strong legal restrictions to prevent fires from causing health risks and nuisance:

• Smoke from a bonfire must not drift across a street or highway so as to cause a danger to traffic (enforced by Wiltshire Police).
• Items must not be burnt on trade or business premises (including demolition sites) that will generate dark smoke (e.g. tyres, polystyrene, oil, plastics etc.)
• Smoke from a garden bonfire must not be a nuisance or prejudicial to the health.

Where nuisances of this type are involved, we would always urge you to try to resolve the problem by discussing it politely and informally with your neighbour in the first instance. If this is not possible, or you have been unsuccessful in your attempt, and the problem has persisted, you can make a formal complaint.

Service Levels

Swindon Borough Council has a statutory obligation to investigate such complaints. When a complaint is received, we aim to provide an initial response within 2 working days.

Disputes over bonfires can be quite difficult to resolve in some instances, primarily because the law does not precisely define what is, or is not, a nuisance. The following criteria would be taken into account however:

• How often a particular neighbour lights bonfires.
• Whether, or not, smoke is drifting into neighbouring properties or gardens.
• The time of day when the bonfire is alight.
• The nature of the area (i.e. heavily built up or rural).
• Weather conditions at the time (e.g. Were neighbours trying to enjoy their gardens on a sunny day? Was washing hanging out to dry? Was the wind direction suitable?).
• The type of smoke (e.g. dark, acrid smoke from materials such as tyres, roof felt etc. will almost inevitably amount to a nuisance because it contains chemicals that are prejudicial to health).

Report a Problem

You can do this in a number of ways:

• Use the online facility to Report a Nuisance Bonfire.

• By telephone to the StreetSmart Team at the Swindon Direct Contact Centre on 01793 445501. For details of the Contact Centre opening hours, please visit the Swindon Direct web page.

• In person, by visiting the Swindon Direct One-stop-shop. For details of the address and opening hours, please visit the Swindon Direct web page.