Good Bonfire Guidelines

Bonfires are currently banned on allotment sites from 1st April to 30th September. Sutton Council are considering banning fires completely on Allotments. Your Site Reps have protested as there is a legitimate need for the use of fires on allotments. Local Councillors and the Park team have listened and are currently looking at how we can improve and reduce complaints, and not have a total ban on bonfires. Thus it's important that every plot holder be considerate and follow the Good Bonfire Guidelines below and reduce the amount of complaints so that we may continue to have fires without further restrictions or a total ban.

·         Remember to check for hibernating hedgehogs and sleeping pets!
·         Large Open Fires Not Allowed only Incinerators or Oil Drums to be used.
·         Allotment Fires are Only for Allotment Debris Do Not bring items from home
·         Ideally start your fire 2 hours before Dusk
·         No Fires On Bank Holidays
·         Avoid lighting in unsuitable weather conditions.
·         Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads or into other people’s property
·         Be Considerate to your neighbours - have they windows open or washing on the line, if so don’t light the fire
·         Only burn dry material that is clean e.g. not oily or painted
·         Never burn household rubbish, rubber or anything containing plastic, foam or paint.
·         Never use old engine oil, mentholated spirits or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it.
·         Keep the fire small and hot and feed it a little at a time to maintain the heat - this minimises smoke emissions. If the fire is kept hot a large amount of material can be burnt in a short time. In this way a fire should last no longer than an hour
·         Never leave the fire unattended or leave it to smoulder – douse it with water, sand or soil if necessary. 

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to emit smoke, fumes or gases which are a nuisance. Allowing smoke to drift over nearby roads may also lead to prosecution under the Highways (Amendment) Act 1986 if it endangers traffic. Remember that smoke from bonfires can be annoying to neighbours, ruining their enjoyment of their gardens, and preventing them from opening windows and hanging out their washing. Bonfires can damage the health of children, the elderly and those with asthma and other breathing problems. Continuing to cause a nuisance in this way could lead to termination of your agreement. Please consider other ways to dispose of your rubbish.