Allotment Bonfire Regulations
The Following Rules apply (effective from 1st April 2008)
Please compost rather than burn. Many weeds and in fact almost any non-woody plant can be composted; provided that sufficient heat is generated composting will destroy weed seeds. However, pernicious weeds such as Japanese Knotweed and plants infected with fungal diseases like Club Root, Downey Mildew or White Rot should be burnt (when dry) or taken to an approved tip.
Please move stored material (from April to end-September) to a new location, prior to lighting your bonfire (October to end-April) to ensure that any animals etc. within can escape.
No bonfires permitted: 1st May to 30th September
Permissible burning times:
1st October to 30th April: Tuesdays and Saturdays after 10.00 a.m.
Bonfires must not be started before 10.00 a.m. and must be extinguished, if not burnt out, by dusk.
- No material other than that produced on your plot is to be burnt on site.
- Only burn when suitable weather conditions permit to avoid causing a nuisance to local residents (eg. do not burn in a westerly wind).
- Only organic matter such as wood, prunings and dry vegetable matter to be burnt. No burning of green or slow-burning vegetation is permitted.
- Do not set fire to large piles of material, it is better to start your bonfire with a medium stack and then add more material when it is very hot.
- Non-vegetable matter such as plastic, rubber, roofing felt or bitumen, carpet, etc. shall not be burnt. Flammable liquids such as old sump oil shall not be burnt or used to light fires.
- Extinguish the bonfire before leaving the site - do not let the fire smoulder after you have gone.
- Only burn on your own plot, do not light fires for others.
- In the event of a reasonable complaint to the plot holder from another tenant, or a member of the public, with regard to a nuisance being caused the bonfire must be extinguished immediately.
Please Note: Any violation of times or conditions will lead to a warning letter being sent to the tenant, informing them of the violation and if the regulation is not adhered to then the tenancy will be terminated in line with clause 4)l) of the allotment tenancy agreement.
Swanage Town Council will not accept liability for any loss, damage or nuisance caused to other plots or adjacent land, nor any injury caused by bonfires. Any such loss, damage, nuisance or injury caused will be regarded as the responsibility of the person lighting the fire.