25 May 2024 , 08:00
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Barbecue-lovers could face fines of up to £5,000 this summer for lighting up their sausages and burgers in the wrong place. Strict rules introduced by a number of UK councils have banned lighting up a grill in areas protected by a Public Service Protection Order (PSPO) - including many parks and beaches, and National Trust land. And families hoping to enjoy the sunshine this weekend were urged to check that their favourite spot is barbecue-friendly.
Those found to be lighting up on a protected beach area - such as Palace Pier, West Pier and Hove Street in Brighton - risks rule-breakers being handed a £50 fine. They also risk criminal prosecution in a magistrates court, which could result in a £1,000 penalty. Using a park to barbecue without permission can also result in a £100 fine, while the penalty for sparking up on National Trust property is £150 - rising with failure to pay to £1,000.
And grilling near a main road can lead to a Nuisance Abatement Order under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 - followed by court prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 if you fail to pay. Fire safety experts have also encouraged people to be extra careful when lighting their barbies, as disposable summer barbecues cause around 240 accidental fires a year in the UK alone.
Outlining the risks, Dan McCarthy of Green Olive Firewood told the Bristol Post that barbecue-lovers should avoid cooking "near benches, trees and sheds". And he added that the countryside presents an additional risk of fire, saying: "The countryside is particularly dry in spring and summer and is, therefore, more susceptible to fire rapidly spreading. While there are certain areas of National Trust-owned land designated for BBQs, we recommend that these areas should not be used at times when there is a high risk of fire."
The good news, however, is that there are plenty of spots which are open to barbecuing this summer. They include designated areas in parks, which are often paved to minimise the risk of grassfires. Many beaches now also allocate special zones for visitors to light up a BBQ.
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For more information on where you can spark up a barbecue visit your local council’s website. If your chosen park or beach is not local, then you’ll need to check the council’s website that it is run by.