Smoke Control Order
Some areas of the district are designated smoke control areas. In these areas, it is an offence to produce smoke from a chimney of a building, including domestic chimneys, from a burner, stove or any fixed boiler if it is located in a designated smoke control area.
This does not include garden or allotment bonfires. Chimneys and barbeques are allowed in smoke control areas but consideration to neighbours must be made.
The following areas of the district are smoke control areas:
- Blaby
- Braunstone Town
- Enderby
- Glenfield
- Glen Parva
- Kirby Muxloe
- Leicester Forest East
- Leicester Forest West
- Littlethorpe
- Lubbesthorpe
- Narborough
- Thorpe Astley
- Whetstone
If you are thinking of installing a wood-burning stove or log burner you must consider whether or not your house is in a smoke control area and ensure no smoke from your chimney causes a nuisance to nearby properties.
Low emission wood burners or buying smokeless fuels can avoid problems with wood burning stoves in smoke control areas. An exempt appliance is capable of being used for burning solid fuels, without producing a substantial quantity of smoke.
Penalties
It is an offence to use an unauthorised fuel within a smoke control area unless used in an exempt appliance. The current maximum fine is £1,000 for each offence.
The list of fuels that have been authorised for use within smoke control areas can be found on the smoke control pages of the DEFRA website.
Solid Fuel Appliances
If you are considering the installation of an approved solid fuel-burning appliance, several factors should be taken into consideration:
- Ensure the appliance is correctly installed by a fully competent engineer
- The appliance is regularly serviced and operated by the manufacturer’s instructions
- The chimney should be lined and of sound construction, with the correct pot fitted and compliant with building regulations and planning permission
- The chimney should be swept a minimum of once a year
- Ensure the Council’s Building Control Team is notified of new installations, and advice/building regulations sought if a new chimney has been installed/built