Bonfires
Coronavirus - please protect the health of others and avoid bonfires during lockdown
Residents across Teignbridge are being asked to think of others and to not light bonfires during the current Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
With everyone staying at home, the effects of bonfires, particularly during the daytime, are likely to be much more serious and have a bigger impact on people’s health. Coronavirus is known to cause serious respiratory problems, which could be made much worse if the sufferer is exposed to smoke from bonfires.
People who are self isolating rely on fresh air from open windows as they are unable to leave their homes. Please help others by not creating any pollution that could make their condition worse.
It is important to be especially considerate at this time, when people are confined to their home and unable to escape unpleasant fumes.
Bonfires can also become out of control or cause accidents, creating extra pressure on the already busy emergency services.
We understand that residents may have challenges in storing and disposing of additional waste materials accumulated during lockdown, and this is why we are making every effort to continue to keep collections as normal as possible. Please think of others, compost your garden waste where possible, and stack or bag up rubbish for disposal when the current emergency is over, rather than burning it.
Teignbridge Council will take enforcement action against any persistent offenders where bonfires cause an impact on neighbours.
If you are experiencing problems with neighbours having bonfires during this time please report it below by selecting 'Start'.
Start the journey
More info about the journey
- your name, address and a contact telephone number
- accurate details of the source of the problem before we can start an investigation
All complainants' personal details will be treated confidentially, however should the case go to court then your names would have to be released. You would have an opportunity to discuss this with the case officer before the details were released.
Anonymous complaints will not normally be investigated.
We will respond to all incidents within two working days. We will contact both parties and if possible mediate between complainants to provide a solution.
We will monitor the smoke from the bonfire.
If a nuisance is proved, we will take prompt enforcement action.
You can contact your neighbour direct and resolve it between yourselves - how to resolve neighbour disputes.
You can take private action and we would recommend that you contact a solicitor for advice.