Smoke control areas

Parts of the UK have become designated smoke controlled areas to reduce smoke emissions from domestic fires.

This means it is illegal to burn any unauthorised fuels and instead an exempt appliance must be used such as a fire, stove, boiler, cooker or heater.

It is also an offence for solid fuel suppliers to make a delivery of unauthorised fuels to any property within a smoke control area.

The power to designate smoke control areas was initially given to the council under the Clean Air Act 1956 and it is still included in the most recent act. 

Information about the air quality impacts of wood burning stoves and appliances.

There is a health problem in the UK which affects us all. Air pollution can come from a number of sources such as vehicle engines, construction, agriculture and roads (dust from passing traffic). Less well known is the pollution that comes from heating appliances including woodburning stoves and open fires.

Air quality is a national problem and affects rural communities as well as towns and cities.

These sources of pollution create tiny particles in the air. Some are so small that they can pass easily in to our homes and workplaces. They enter our lungs and can cause health problems.

If you use a woodburning stove or open fire there are some simple steps you can take to make a big difference, but only if you understand the problems and what to do about them.

Your local professional chimney sweep can really help you get it right. They know your fire and chimney and understand your fuel. They can answer your questions about how to operate your fi re or stove and how often to use it. They can look at what comes down your chimney and tell you if there is a problem and, most importantly, they can show you how to get it right.

If you are within a Smoke Control Area (see above) then any woodburning appliance has to be an DEFRA exempt appliance and only burn a DEFRA authorised fuel.

DEFRA's Air Quality & Industrial Emissions| Environmental Quality Directorate have produced a leaflet for guidance on the considerate use of woodburning stoves and open fires and how to minimise emissions from the. You can view or download the leaflet below:

We All Breathe the Same Air

DEFRA have also produce new information and guidance as of 2023 under the:

Burn Better, Breathe Better: Reduce the negative impact your stove or open fire can have on your health

Northumberland County Council also provide a leaflet providing advice on smokeless fuels and woodburning appliances which can be viewed / downloaded from:

Regulations Regarding Smokeless Fuels & Wood Burning Appliances

Get in touch with the council if you have any pollution issues you think we can assist with.

For more information, please contact us here. 

Recent legislation changes which impact all solid fuel and wood fuels burnt on indoor appliances in England.

This new legislation now sets similar controls which were previously achieved through the creation of smoke control areas.
 
From 1 May 2021 suppliers of fuels must comply with the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, which places the following controls on fuels burnt:

• All wood fuels (ie firewood, wood chip, briquettes, pellets and hog fuel., reformed) sold in volumes less than two cubic metres must be certified "Ready to Burn" which confirms the fuel has a moisture content of 20% or less. Please note that some renewable fuels are exempt (eg coffee/olive/wine logs) but are not allowed in our smoke control areas.
• All wood fuels over two cubic metres in volume should be sold with an advisory note to customers to dry the wood until 20% moisture is reached before use.
• Manufactured Solid Fuels (MSFs) need to meet emissions standards and be certified "Ready to Burn". Listed fuels can be found here. Fuels - Defra, UK.
• The sale of Bituminous (house) coal in loose or open bags from approved coal merchants only will cease on the 30 April 2023.

Details of the Ready to Burn scheme can be found by clicking here.