Bonfires and nuisance smoke

Complaint about a bonfire or nuisance smoke

There are no bylaws about garden fires, however, if it is causing a statutory nuisance, we can both do something about it. For a bonfire to be classed as a nuisance, the smoke will have to be affecting you in your home and/or garden and it will need to be taking place roughly two or three times a week.

If you feel comfortable, speaking to the person or business to let them know the bonfire is causing a nuisance could be the best course of action. If it continues, and its affecting your enjoyment of your home or garden, you can make a complaint.

Report a problem online

You can report a domestic garden bonfire by filling in our online domestic bonfire complaint form.

If you are being affected by black smoke from an industrial or building site or its a commercial property, then we or the Environment Agency can investigate and potentially take action against the offender.

To report a business, industrial, trade waste or building site bonfire, you can fill in our commercial bonfire online complaint form.