Bonfires - action

Action you should take:

Speak to the person who has the bonfire and explain the problem it is causing. If the problem continues, write to the person causing the nuisance and ask for it to stop. Keep a copy of your letter and a record of when each bonfire started and how long it lasted. Please continue keeping records for a reasonable time.

Contact the Council :

If the problem still continues (three or more bonfires), please contact us providing:

Your name and address
The address of the bonfire
The time when each bonfire started and how long it lasted
A description of how the bonfire affected you and how bad the smoke or ash was
Any photographs of the bonfire that you may have taken

What happens next

The Council will consider the information you have provided and an officer will usually arrange to visit you to monitor the bonfire.

The officer will contact the person with the bonfire, ask for it to stop and warn them about possible legal action to stop the nuisance. The Council maintains confidentiality and will not mention your name without your consent.

If the officer cannot monitor the bonfire, it may be possible to take legal action solely on your evidence and that of your neighbours. This is unusual and the evidence has to be very comprehensive.

Lodge a complaint in a magistrates court:

You will be asked to give evidence to prove the nuisance that you have suffered. If the magistrates court is satisfied a nuisance has been caused or might happen again, they are able to make an order to stop the nuisance and for any work to be done to restore any damage.

Telephone numbers for the magistrates court are listed under "courts" in the telephone directory.
You don't need to employ a solicitor. The court officials are very helpful. It may be helpful to have additional evidence from another person to present to the court.

Taking action under Civil Law:

You will need to go to a solicitor who will start the process of obtaining an injunction in the county court to stop any person causing a nuisance to you. This remedy may be faster and more effective than others but it can be expensive.

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