Having identified that there was a problem with the level of
smoke and sulphur dioxide from domestic "open" fires, Smoke Control
Areas were introduced by the former Bath City Council.
The first Smoke Control Area was declared in October 1980 and
covered the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland Wards. A further
eight control areas were subsequently introduced over a 14 year
period which then covered the whole of the city of Bath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Smoke Control Area?
A Smoke Control Area is an area, established by a local
authority, in which smoke must not be discharged from domestic
chimneys.
If my house is in a Smoke Control Area, how will I be
affected?
You must ensure that no smoke escapes from your chimneys,
otherwise you will be liable to prosecution. You will have to
burn one of the authorised solid smokeless fuels (see below) on
your solid fuel fire or change to gas, oil or electricity.
Alternatively, you may use a stove that is exempt from Smoke
Control Area regulations (see below).
How can I find out if my house is in a Smoke Control
Area?
Put simply, the whole of the City of Bath is in a Smoke Control
Area, including Combe Down, Odd Down, Lower Swainswick and
Bailbrook.
Click here to view a map
of the Bath Smoke Control Area.
For further information please telephone 01225 396003 or
email us at Environmental_Monitoring@bathnes.gov.uk
What are authorised fuels?
Authorised fuels are products like gas, electricity, anthracite,
low volatile steam coals and most of the commercial smokeless
fuels. A current list of approved solid fuel products
and services can be found at the UK Smoke Control Areas website.
For the current UK Government regulations regarding authorised
smokeless fuels, click here.
Am I committing an offence by buying a fuel that is not
authorised?
Yes. Section 20 of the Clean Air Act makes it an offence
to acquire any solid fuel other than an authorised fuel for use in
a domestic fireplace in a smoke control area, other than an
exempted fireplace.
Where can I find out if my fireplace is exempted?
A current list of exempt appliances can be found at the
UK Smoke Control Areas website.
For the current UK Government regulations regarding exempt
fireplaces, click here.
Is there any funding available to help me change my
fireplace?
No. Initially, grants were available to enable people to
change their fireplaces, but these finished when all of the control
areas were declared in 1994.
Does living in a Smoke Control Area prevent me from burning
garden rubbish?
It is permissible to burn garden rubbish, but you should not
cause a nuisance to your neighbours. However, the Council
would encourage everybody to dispose of their garden rubbish in a
sustainable way. For details of how you can dispose of garden
rubbish please contact the Council's Waste Management Section on
01225 394041 or visit their Garden Refuse
Collection page.
My neighbour is burning rubbish and is causing a nuisance,
what can I do?
Smoke from bonfires which causes a nuisance can be an
offence. For further details on what this Service can do to
help please telephone 01225 477563 or email us on Environmental_Protection@bathnes.gov.uk
