ALLOTMENT holders in West Auckland are to be reminded about what they can and can’t burn on their plots.
The move comes after a resident, who reported plastic waste being set alight at the site on Darlington Road, contacted West Auckland Parish Council to voice their concerns.
It has now prompted the parish council to reinforce fire rules at the allotments.
Cllr Neil Simpson said: “When you rent an allotment you get a set of rules that you are supposed to stick to.
“There is very little on an allotment that you need to burn unless you are taking a shed down, but that should be taken to a proper refuse place.
“If you have a fire, it is supposed to be out by 6pm at night.”
He added: “If someone comes out of a house and says that your fire is causing them stress, you are duty bound to put it out.”
Chairman Cllr Colin Mairs said: “The resident said they can’t open their windows and can’t breathe on a night because people light their fires and then go home.
“I think there needs to be a notice saying no materials to be carried on these allotments to be burnt.”
Cllr Billy Robinson added: “The rule is that you take into consideration the residents around you.
“If you are going to set a fire away, you do it when the wind is blowing away from the houses.”
It was agreed that the parish council, who own the allotments, would contact tenants to remind them of the fire rules.
Cllr George Smith said: “If it is put up on the noticeboard it will make it clear.”
Meanwhile, fears about toxic fumes from a fire further up the village were also brought to the attention of the parish council.
Cllr Ann Palfreyman said: “Someone stopped me to tell me that someone had been burning plastic materials in a skip.
“They said the smoke was going in their house and they could not breathe. They said it was toxic so they had to climb over the wall with a hose and put it out themselves.”
Councillors were informed that the fire had been lit in the Toadpool area on land to the rear of The Eden Arms pub.
However, it was agreed that it was a county council matter.
Cllr Mairs said: “An abatement notice can be issued by Durham County Council if a fire is causing a nuisance. It is illegal to set fire to anything toxic.”
County councillor Christine Wilson, who represents West Auckland at County Hall, was present at the meeting.
She told members: “If it happens again just let me know and I will report it.”
