UK residents in 53 English towns face £300 fines for smoking chimneys in smoke control zones; using unauthorized fuel could cost up to £1,000.
If you live in England, be careful. Smoking chimneys in specific zones mean fines, potentially as high as £300. Using the wrong fuel brings a larger fine. It could cost you up to £1,000.
Authorized fuels are key in smoke control zones. Some smokeless options are okay too. Anthracite and gas work if you have no approved appliance. Defra approved gear makes a difference.
You can burn certain fuels in special appliances, like some boilers or stoves. Always check the manufacturer’s fuel recommendations and follow their advice to stay safe.
Outdoor cooking is permitted in some cases. Barbecues and pizza ovens are usually fine. Chimneys for summerhouses are different, though; use approved fuel unless you have an exempt device.
Garden bonfires have their own set of rules. Many UK towns have smoke controlled zones, including London, Manchester, and Belfast. The Northwest and the Midlands feature these too.
Within a UK smoke control area, use permitted fuels. When burning wood, use a smoke exempt stove. Don’t use wet wood causing excessive smoke, as that breaks the law.
Many areas are governed by these smoke rules. Exeter and Portsmouth are controlled areas, as are Southampton and Bristol. Countless other cities are also included in this list.
