Smoke Control Areas

Smoke controlled areas mean that you can not burn Wood, unless you have a Defra approved Woodburning or Multifuel Stove. This means it has been passed by Defra for Burning Wood in these areas by reducing the controlability of the Air and the Efficiency.

Introduced to deal with the smogs of the 1950s and 1960s, which were caused by the widespread burning of coal for domestic heating and by industry, the Clean Air Acts gave local authorities powers to control emissions of smoke, dust and fumes and to declare smoke control areas in which emissions of smoke from domestic properties are banned.

As a result, smoke control areas were established in many large towns and cities in the UK.

Earlier Acts, together with other associated clean air legislation, were consolidated into the Clean Air Act 1993.

Contact your local council or visit the Defra website to find out more about UK smoke control areas.