States vote against restricting bonfires
ISLANDERS will be allowed to burn dry garden waste on their property at any time they like, after the States decided to avoid over-regulating bonfires.
The air pollution section of the Environmental Pollution law, which includes the introduction of air quality standards and prohibiting the emission of dark and black smoke, was approved by the States.
But it was the discussion over when to allow domestic bonfires to take place which took up most of yesterday's debate.
The original report suggested that bonfires could take place only on Monday to Friday.
Deputy Lester Queripel laid two amendments – to restrict bonfires to 7am to 7pm on Mondays and Fridays or on the same hours Monday to Friday – to help protect the health of people with respiratory problems.
But Deputy Richard Graham laid an amendment going the other way, which would allow for bonfires at any time, in a bid to avoid a nanny-state level of interference.
The vote on restricting bonfires to Monday and Fridays was defeated by 33 votes to two. The Monday to Friday restriction was also defeated 27 votes to eight.
Deputy Graham's amendment to allow bonfires on any day was passed 20 votes to 15.
