Bonfires

Permitted times | What you are allowed to burn | What you must not burn | Where to burn | Safety | Other considerations

We encourage plot holders to compost waste generated on their allotment. If this is not possible, please follow the rules and guidance below.

Permitted times

Plot holders are permitted one bonfire between 8th September and 31st May.

  • No fires to be lit between 1st June – 7th September
  • No fires to be lit before noon
  • Each plot holder is allowed one bonfire, regardless of how many plots they have
What you are allowed to burn
  • Material to be burnt must be waste produced on the allotments
  • Material to be burnt must be thoroughly dry
  • Only material not suitable for composting can be burned.
What you must not burn
  • No material to be brought in from outside
  • Plot holders must not burn old carpet, weed membrane, netting, roofing felt, foam or plastic of any sort. This type of waste should be taken home, disposed of in a skip or taken to one of the council’s household waste and recycling centres (rubbish tips)
  • Green waste must not be burned, it must be composted either on your own plot or by taking it to the green waste area on plot 21.
Where you are allowed to burn
  • Bonfires must be situated as far away from private gardens as possible
  • Do not light fires if the wind is blowing towards private gardens.
Safety
  • Plot holders must not use accelerants to start the bonfire, e.g. petrol or BBQ lighter fuel
  • The use of a brazier/incinerator with funnel lid is encouraged
  • Do not leave bonfires unattended at any time once they have been lit
  • Extinguish bonfires before leaving the site
  • Keep a full watering can or bucket of water nearby, just in case!
Other considerations
  • Build bonfires on the day they are to be burnt to avoid risk to wildlife
  • During nice weather, please consider our neighbours who will also want to enjoy their gardens, dry laundry outside and open their windows
  • The local authority has a statutory duty to take action if smoke from a bonfire causes a nuisance.

Always follow PG&AA’s Bonfires Code of Practice and see the City of Wolverhampton Allotment Handbook for the council’s rules and guidance around bonfires.

#rememberhedgehogs when building bonfires – Photo by Piotr Łaskawski on Unsplash