21 November 2008Part of Sevenoaks District Council is officially classified as a ‘Smoke Control Area’.
It is an offence under the Clean Air Act to emit smoke from a chimney of a building or from a furnace of any fixed boiler or industrial plant within the smoke control area.
It is also an offence to acquire or sell an ‘unauthorised fuel’ for use within a smoke control area unless it is used within an ‘exempt appliance’.
The use of authorised smokeless fuels is permitted.
What are Smoke Control Areas?
The Clean Air Acts 1956 and 1968 were introduced to control and reduce the infamous smogs of the 1950s and 1960s. These smogs were caused by the widespread burning of coal by industry and for domestic heating. The Clean Air Acts enabled Local Authorities to control emissions of dark smoke, grit dust and fumes from industrial premises and furnaces and to declare ‘Smoke Control Areas’ in which emissions from chimneys (including at domestic properties) are prohibited.
Smoke Control Areas in Sevenoaks
The above map is for illustration purposes please contact Sevenoaks District Council if you wish to know if your house or property is within a smoke control area.
What Fuels are Authorised?
Authorised fuels are those that are authorised by Statutory Instruments (Regulations) made under the Clean Air Act 1993. These include inherently smokeless fuels such as gas, electricity and anthracite and specified brands of manufactured solid smokeless fuels. These fuels have been tested to ensure that that they are capable of burning on an open fireplace without producing an emission of smoke
Click here for a list of authorised fuels - Sevenoaks District Council is not responsible for the content of 3rd party websites
What Appliances are Exempt?
Exempt appliances are those (ovens, wood burners and stoves) that have been exempted by Statutory Instruments (Orders) under the Clean Air Act 1993. These appliances have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting smoke. Exempt appliances are often only exempted for specific fuels.
Click here for a list of exempt appliances - Sevenoaks District Council is not responsible for the content of 3rd party websites
Offences in a Smoke Control Area
It is an immediate offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building or from a furnace of any fixed boiler or industrial plant within the smoke control area. A person guilty of an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1000).
It is an offence to purchase or acquire an ‘unauthorised fuel’ within a smoke control area unless it is for use within an appropriate exempted appliance.
It is an offence to sell an ‘unauthorised fuel’ to a resident or individual for use within a smoke control area.
For more information, please contact the Environmental Protection Team at air.quality.consultations@sevenoaks.gov.uk or telephone 01732 227275.
