Ilkley Moor BBQ ban could be extended
The ban was brought in in 2019 - but is due to expire this summer.
Last updated 24th Mar 2022
An order that makes lighting barbecues on Ilkley Moor illegal could be extended for another three years.
The ban was brought in in 2019 - following a number of fires on the moor.
The order also covers fireworks, campfires and Chinese Lanterns - but it expires this summer.
Bradford councillors have voted to begin a public consultation that would lead to the order being extended.
At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday morning members voted to begin a public consultation that would lead to the order being extended by another three years.
The the meeting came just a few hours after a huge blaze on Marsden Moor that saw 60 firefighters scrambled to the National Trust site.
A report to the committee said that while most moorland fires are caused accidentally, they can still be devastating for the moors, as well as costing the public purse huge amounts of money due to the intensive response from fire fighters needed to bring fires under control.
At the meeting Danny Jackson, Countryside and Rights of Way Manager, told members that since the protection order was introduced, there had been no major moorland blazes in Bradford. But he added: “Wildfires are still a risk, and there have already been three or four in Kirklees this year.
“We have been assisted in enforcing this order by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have pledged to respond if someone rings them to report someone with a lit BBQ on the moor.”
Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Tong) asked if the Council had any power to stop shops from selling disposable BBQs.
Mr Jackson said the Council had worked with the fire service to visit a number of shops to encourage them to remove disposable BBQs from sale. If shops insisted on selling them, the Council would provide staff with leaflets warning any buyers of the consequences of using the BBQs on moorland areas.
He added: “Earlier this month it was in the news that Waitrose and Aldi would stop selling disposable BBQs, so there is a shift among retailers.”
Mr Jackson told members that with the weather improving, staff would be installing signs warning of the order in moorland areas from Friday.
The Committee unanimously approved the new consultation – which will last for six weeks. If there is no major objection from the public the, new order will be implemented and last until 2025.