Disposable barbecues, fires, fireworks and sky lanterns to be banned near moorland in Barnsley

Council chiefs have proposed a public spaces protection order (PSPO), covering all publicly accessible moorland and footpaths close to open moorland in the borough.

If approved by cabinet on March 23, a public consultation will be held before a final decision is made.

Council bosses hope that the main impact of the PSPO will be on “awareness of the causes of wildfires and how visitors to moorland can reduce their risk of starting fires”.

Similar PSPOs have been implemented by councils in Bradford and the High Peak in Derbyshire.

A map provided by Barnsley Council, shows areas of Thurlstone Moor which would be covered by the PSPO if it were to be implemented.

Under the new rules, council enforcement officers would have the authority to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone using disposable barbecues or lighting fires or fireworks in the area.

A report to cabinet states that Barnsley’s peatlands are at a “particular risk of fire”, as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

"At particular risk of fire is Barnsley’s 2,500 hectares of peat moorlands which could be considered the borough’s most important natural asset.

" Peat moorlands are at great risk of fire from barbeques, fires, fireworks and sky lanterns.

"In respect of achieving our net zero targets, our moorlands are very important, arguably more so than trees.”

“Recent fires in neighbouring authorities have incurred great costs to landowners and emergency services,” adds the report.

“In April 2019, a barbeque lit by a member of the public started a fire at Marsden Moor in Kirklees which damaged 700 hectares of Moorland, took four days for firefighters to put out and caused £500,000 of damage.

“In April 2021, another fire occurred at Marsden Moor caused a further £200,000 of damage and required 50 firefighters to put out.

“There is potential for such fires to occur in Barnsley’s peat moorlands, which could cause similar levels of damage.

“Enforcing the PSPO effectively will be challenging given the size of the areacovered, however the council’s enforcement officers may issue fixed penaltynotices to visitors carrying out banned activities under the ban.”

If approved, the PSPO will be in place for three years.