Can I light a bonfire in Swindon?

There is no blanket ban on having a bonfire in your garden in Swindon – but smoke must not cause a "statutory nuisance" to neighbours. If it does, the council can take action. Burning certain materials (e.g. treated wood, plastic) can also be harmful and may be restricted. This guide summarises the rules.

Bonfire and smoke – garden bonfire
Bonfires – keep smoke from affecting neighbours. Credit: Unsplash
No blanket banBut smoke = nuisance
Council can actStatutory nuisance
Garden waste onlyNo plastic, treated wood
Bonfire best practice
DoDon't
Burn dry garden waste onlyBurn plastic, rubber, treated wood
Avoid windy daysBurn late into evening
Consider garden waste collectionCause smoke to enter neighbour's home

Source: GOV.UK

Key links

Noise and smoke nuisance – Swindon Borough Council
swindon.gov.uk – Noise nuisance
Burning waste – GOV.UK
GOV.UK – Garden bonfires

Smoke nuisance

If smoke from a bonfire unreasonably affects a neighbour’s use of their home or garden, it can be a statutory nuisance. Swindon Borough Council’s environmental health team can investigate and, if satisfied, require the person responsible to stop or limit the nuisance. Persistent breaches can lead to fines. To reduce the risk: burn dry garden waste only, avoid windy days, and don’t burn late into the evening. Consider composting or using the council’s garden waste collection instead.

What you must not burn

You must not burn household waste, plastic, rubber, painted or treated wood, or anything that produces toxic smoke. That can be an offence under waste or clean air law. For garden waste, occasional small bonfires may be acceptable if they don’t cause nuisance; check GOV.UK and the council for current guidance.

If a neighbour’s bonfire affects you

You can report ongoing smoke nuisance to the council. See noise complaints in Swindon – the same team often deals with smoke. Keeping a note of when it happens can help the council assess the problem.

Report noise or smoke nuisance

Environmental health team – swindon.gov.uk

swindon.gov.uk – Noise nuisance

Information correct as of February 2026. Check swindon.gov.uk and GOV.UK for current rules.