Bonfires on Chelsfield Park
Every year we receive several complaints about bonfires. We'd like to ensure that everyone has safe bonfires that don't negatively impact other people. Smoke and ash prevent your neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows and hanging out washing. We need to work together to keep disruption to a minimum.
There are no byelaws which control the lighting of bonfires, but under The Environmental Protection Act 1990 smoke and ash from a bonfire causing annoyance to neighbours could be an offence rendering the person having the bonfire liable to prosecution. A smoky bonfire or having garden bonfires on a frequent basis may well cause a nuisance and that can be an offence.
For this reason, we've compiled the advice from Bromley into a resource for our residents.
Before you have a bonfire, we would urge you to consider if you even need to! Here are a few alternatives before we get to the main topic of how to have a safe bonfire.
Composting
With a minimum of effort a good quality homemade compost can be produced which can save on buying commercial products. All that you need is:
- A compost bin - either home-made or shop bought.
- Somewhere to put it – bare soil is preferable
To properly compost, you need a good mix of material types and a covered / sheltered spot so that the compost bin retains warmth. Several times a year, the heap needs turning to allow air to circulate. Worms may be added to increase the speed with which the matter is broken down.
What can you compost?
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| ✅ Weeds, garden trimmings and shredded wood prunings | ❌ Meat and fish scraps |
| ✅ Small amounts of paper, autumn leaves and wet grass | ❌ Large amounts of paper, autumn leaves and wet grass |
| ✅ Kitchen waste such as raw vegetable peelings, egg-shells and tea-bags | ❌ Cooked food |
| ✅ Old plants and flowers | ❌ Metal, plastic and glass |
| ✅ Used bedding from pets such as rabbits | ❌ Nappies |
| ✅ Straw and farmyard manure | ❌ Dog and cat waste |
Further information on composting and special offers are available for compost bins from the Environmental Promotions Unit at Bromley Council: 020 8313 4510.
Green Garden Waste Bin Collection Service
Bromley borough offers a large, 240 litre wheelie bin collection service that costs £60 per bin per year, which includes free bins.
This service is ideal if you are frequent gardener or if you are unable to home compost large amounts of garden waste yourself. This service can accept:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Prunings
- Hedge trimmings
Green Garden Waste Sites
Bromley borough provides several free-of-charge green garden waste temporary sites. All green garden waste must be bagged and residents must bring their council tax bill, driver's licence or a form of identification that includes their address.
Our closest option is the Salt Depot, Shire Lane Spur (off Sevenoaks Road in Green Street Green) on Saturdays from 11:00 until 16:00. This site is currently open until Saturday 28 October 2023.
This service accepts:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Prunings (no bigger than 2 inches round)
- Hedge trimmings
- Dead plants
Local Recycling Centres
Bromley borough provides several free-of-charge general recycling sites which are open throughout the year and accept green waste.
Our closest option is the Waldo Road Site located on Waldo Road, Bromley, BR1 2QX.
If you have larger items or large quantities of garden waste to dispose of you can request a Special Collection. Please contact Bromley Council on 020 8313 4970 for more information.
How to have a Safe Bonfire
If you have considered all the alternatives above and have concluded that your waste is best handled with a bonfire, then this is our advice section on how to be safe and respect your neighbours.
- Only burn dry materials If the material is not dry then wait; it will be very smoky to burn green material.
- Never burn household rubbish The only materials that you should burn on a bonfire are woody materials chopped directly from your garden. Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, plastics, foam, paint, treated or painted fence panels / wood. This can cause serious lung damage to you and your neighbours. Grass should be composted or used as mulch.
- Never use solvents to start the fire If you need petrol or meths to start the fire, the material is not dry enough.
- Choose the right time of year Autumn or spring are the best times, with the weather being cooler, yet dry enough; avoid the summer because fire may spread, and avoid burning following rainy periods because it will be smoky or won't burn.
- Only burn in suitable weather If it is too windy smoke may cause disturbance or even danger. Rain will only cause a smoky bonfire.
- Choose a suitable location Have your bonfire as far away from others as possible in a clear open space. Be mindful of nearby vegetation, especially fences and overhanging trees as they can catch fire or become scorched.
- Avoid certain times Avoid burning at weekends, bank holidays and when neighbours want to enjoy their gardens.
- Don't start too late You must be finished before 19:00, and douse the embers for safety afterwards. Do not let them just die out.
- Have a working hose nearby Douse the bonfire with water if you lose control, or if it becomes a nuisance.
- Never leave a fire unattended Common sense, but it needs saying.
- Let your immediate neighbours know beforehand They can close their windows / doors and bring in washing / pets etc.
How Often Should I have a Bonfire?
Put simply, as infrequently as possible! Most houses on the estate have large gardens so creating a pile at the bottom of the garden and having a bonfire only once a year (on a suitable day) would be ideal. This will allow all woody material to dry out prior to burning.
Bonfires add to air pollution and can produce poisonous and irritating gases. They should not be performed regularly.