How do I stop my neighbour burning his garden waste and smoking the neighbourhood out?

Question

Its taken me ages to find out who the culprit who in the summer months burns his green waste in his back garden but finally today I traced the bonfire smoke back to its unmistakable source. Now, before I knock on the door and ask him if he wouldn't mind doing what everybody else in the street does and buy green bags and fill them for free collection by the council, and to possibly save me from a very long wait in a phone queue to the Environmental Health Dept. Can anyone tell me whether he's within his rights to refuse or if he is in breach of any environmental regulations by disposing of his clippings in this traditional manner. The smell is awful, it burns for hours and hours and it sticks in the throat. Forewarned is fore armed as they say, so - anyone got any advice?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

its a english mans rights to burn what he wants when he wants so get of your high horse and stop moaning

Answer 2

Instead of the phone send an e-mail.Or two.They have to act if it is written down.They have to send you a reply also.

Answer 3

I say you get some sort of shovel, or a spade, or even perhaps a wolf to come with you. In fact, why doesn't the whole neighbourhood come with you.

Together, we WILL combat the combustion of garden waste ;)

Answer 4

Read a formal letter to your Council keep some evidence of him burning, and hopefully they'll act as soon as possible. Have you asked him to stop?

Answer 5

Take a look online at your city/town bylaws to see if there are any rules about it. If that fails, find a non-emergency fire department number to call and ask them - they will be able to tell you if there is indeed a bylaw/law against it - as it does involve burning and they should know. On the off chance they can't tell you, I'm sure they will direct you to a number/office that would know, and tell you what you can do, or ask that you call again when the person is actually doing it so they can go and visit the person themselves. You can ask that you remain anonymous in reporting it as well.

Where I am, you can't burn waste like that or leaves due to the smoke, only dry firewood 40 ft away from a dwelling etc and even then if it smokes out a neighbour then they can report it. Your city may not allow ANY burning depending on where you live - I live on the outskirts of a small town where it's permitted but only within certain limits, time of day and such.

Answer 6

just go round there and punch his lights out :)

Answer 7

Open air burning is not permitted everywhere . Check with your local government to see if it's OK to burn where you live.. He may need permits to burn which he may not have, or be required to tend the fire with a hose no more than 50ft away, which he probably doesn't do. If he's breaking any laws, call the police. He may be one of those old timers who has been doing this for years, and thinks the law doesn't apply to him. Do your homework, then keep calling the cops until he stops.

Answer 8

In My town he would need a burning permit to do this. next time he starts burning, call the fire department, report a fire at his address. Its probably not an environmental or health issue though.