A South Holland farmer has hit back at claims his bonfires are causing huge problems, as the nearest resident to his site is half a mile away.
In last week’s Voice, neighbours had complained about a bonfire lasting for several days near Whaplode Drove.
They said a farmer, not named at the time, had been carting straw to a site and the resulting smoke was causing problems for the area.
Both South Holland District Council and the Environment Agency had been contacted with complaints.
But farmer Keith Hall, of Ash Farm, Dog Drove North, has said he took steps to ensure that any nuisance from the fire was kept to a minimum.
He said the extremely wet winter and spring had resulted in more wet straw than usual, and it now wasn’t a lot of use for anything.
“We are trying to do what we can, it’s a site where the nearest house, as the crow flies, is half a mile away.
“We are bringing in wet straw from elsewhere because it is the place which is the furthest away from any neighbours.
“I’ve been doing trips from Sutton Bridge as we don’t want to burn there, it’s too close to the A17.
“We have had a really wet winter and this straw is no good for anything. If it was manure, as they said, it would be spread across the fields because it would be useful.”
Mr Hall said he had received a letter from the Environment Agency, but it only outlined the procedure for farmyard bonfires.
“I spoke to the fire brigade as well, just to make sure we were OK. It will burn for a while, it’s wet straw. It’s not thick, black smoke and I am operating legally,” he added.
Mr Hall said if anyone wanted to learn about farming, ‘they would be welcome’ to join him.
“I’ve been carting stuff for 20 miles to try and make sure we don’t cause too much of a problem with it all.
“There isn’t much you can do with wet straw that’s rotting in the middle of the bales. There have also been other bonfires burning in the area.”
The Environment Agency told the Voice last week that it had ‘engaged with the farmer on August 12 and would continue to monitor the situation.’
The agency said that anyone who suspects illegal waste activity can contact its 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060.
