DOes anyone know the local rules re garden fires? Are they banned in Sheffield? We always burn garden rubbish in the Summer but someone mentioned you are not allowed to do this anymore..........

have you looked on the Council website?

hmm, tried to have a look on the sheffield city council website, but it appears not to be working............
sounds about reet for SCC!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

This page ( http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:xX6MqaknTU0J:www.sheffield.gov.uk/environment/how-we-work/environmental-serv/neighbour-nuisance/environmental-nuisance+sheffield+council+bonfire&hl=en&start=2) has been cached from the old council website. I don't think it exists on the current site but as mentioned, the site is down today.

It answers most of the questions. No Bye-Law exists and the only legislation that comes into play involves the domestic bonfire being a "nuisance". To do this it must be offensive repeatedly (not a single occurence) and hence will need logging records etc.

As always, the personal direct contact with a neighbour is recommended in the first instance.

Read the page, it is very comprehensive and if anyone feels action is warranted call Environmental Services on 203 7410.

To goldenfleece as the potential burner, the only comment is to try and be considerate. Keep the fire small, the material dry and avoid drifting smoke as much as possible.

A few weeks ago I e mailed the council via their website asking the same question as someone had told me it was illegal. The reply basically said that having a garden fire was no problem and that sometimes it is the only practical solution to getting rid of large amounts of garden rubbish and no, it is not illegal. What they do object to is people who burn domestic refuse in the garden ie. sofas, etc. So go ahead.

I thought that you could have a garden fire but it had to be after dark so as not to be a nuisance to neighbours eg dirtying their washing.

If it is illegal then there are a lot of people breaking the law on Nov 5th. :D

Check which way the wind is blowing. If smoke from the fire causes significantly reduced visibility on a nearby road and results in a traffic accident then you could be liable.

I believe there is such a thing as ''causing nuisance by smoke''

The problem with fires usually occurs in summer when people need, and leave, their windows open.

Hot summer weather often results from high pressure which does not disperse smoke well.

If you are roughly due east of a prat who burns everything, like we are, then you have my sympathy!

I aways thought it was after seven in the evening, but I think whatever time is, you should consider others,obviously summer nights aren't good, and never during the day, this is so selfish,
especially whe there's washing out.

tbh thay just light up when thay want round here.

I recently had a garden fire and rang the fire service and police, it was after council offices were closed. The outcome was that as long as it was garden rubbish there is no restriction, however should it not be e.g. rubber or plastic then this would contravine the bye laws at any time. Hope this helps

I wonder where horse manure comes into all this.

I live near fields where horses are stabled and am regularly subjected to an acrid stench for days on end as piles of manure are burnt. The smell fills the house, even when the windows are closed and hanging washing out is totally out of the question when the fire is going.

Anybody else suffer this? :gag:

I'm surprised to hear that anyone actually burns manure, especially as it sells at a good price to gardeners etc.

Originally posted by Mo
I wonder where horse manure comes into all this.

I live near fields where horses are stabled and am regularly subjected to an acrid stench for days on end as piles of manure are burnt. The smell fills the house, even when the windows are closed and hanging washing out is totally out of the question when the fire is going.

Anybody else suffer this? :gag:


What a waste, do they not spread it on the fields?

Having fires at any time is against EEC regulations,but a council will tell you that if you light a fire more than a couple of times a month,you can be done for causing pollution for your neighbours.

re: garden manure.
no one should burn manure if they are genuine horse owners or farmers, it is illegal & anyone round n e derbyshire should be aware of this 'cos we get reported to the police often enough.you can only burn hay & straw as long as it is not contaminated with horse urine (the burning of ammonia can be a health hazard). however all the land owners will burn off the fields including damp grass,hay,straw & rubbish.
i'm off to burn my old fencing this p.m so best bring your washing in mate.

If there isn't a law then there should be cos i'm sick to death of my stuck up, I think I own everything in Walkley neighbour wallowing a load of smoke all over my washing.

On a normal day I would beat her to a pulp.....Oh, hang on it's a normal day brb.

Originally posted by BobDaBuilder
If there isn't a law then there should be

If you read everything that has been posted you will see that there are laws against repeated causing of nuisance.
All you have to do is gather the evidence, to support your claim, in a manner that will satisfy council officials or a local magistrate.

Have you actually ever tried doing anything about nuisances or law-breakers...?

It's one thing talking about it, but doing it is another matter....get the baseball bat out I say...