Garden-waste bonfires are being banned at Wellington allotments.

Wellington Town Council – which runs the allotments at the Basins – has rubber-stamped an amendment to the conditions of use for tenants telling them that bonfires will no longer be permitted.

The council’s facilities manager, Annette Kirk, said: “This amendment has been introduced to improve safety across the allotment site, reduce nuisance from smoke and odour affecting nearby residents and other tenants, and to promote environmentally responsible waste management practices.

“The revised requirement supports safer, cleaner and more sustainable use of the allotment site for all users.

“This change is mandatory and will be strictly enforced. Failure to comply with this condition will be treated as a breach of tenancy agreement and may result in formal action being taken by the council.

“This will include the issue of warnings and, where necessary, termination of the tenancy in accordance with the terms of the tenant’s agreement.”

It was said that bonfires could present a “significant fire risk” in the event of them getting out of control and the flames spreading – particularly during dry conditions.

Members of the council’s environment committee heard on July 8 that the ban on bonfires at the allotments would be implemented on September 30.

And Cllr Janet Lloyd, who is chairman of the council’s Basins allotments advisory board, said: “The word is already around the allotment holders that if they want a bonfire – they have to do it before the end of September!”

The decision to ban bonfires at the allotments came after the advisory board was told to think again by the council’s environment committee back in March.

Councillors were surprised that the board, which had originally agreed to prohibit bonfires, had changed its mind and allowed tenants to burn diseased plants and dried-out organic material on their allotments.

But the U-turn definitely did not go down well with councillors, and they urged the board to look again at the issue of bonfires, especially considering the fact that the council is trying to be proactive in making a difference to climate change.

It has been proven that bonfires significantly contribute to carbon emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants that impact air quality and public health.

Councillors, meanwhile, agreed to spend up to £600 on completing fencing and gate work required on the newly installed accessible plot at the allotments.

The accessible plot will be used by the elderly and people with mobility restrictions and will include raised beds at various heights to give everyone a chance to do something.

It will be ideal for people living in the nearby Over-55s sheltered housing development on Corams Lane.

There are 102 plots at the Basins Allotments in Corams Lane, while new allotments are being prepared at a site at Longforth Farm.

Wellington Town Council is a member of the National Allotment Society and more information about allotments can be found at www.wellingtontowncouncil.gov.uk