In Bristol, just one person has faced fines for illegal log burner use in three years, raising concerns about air quality and enforcement challenges.
Back in 2022, the government gave councils the green light to crack down on illegal wood burning. But here’s the kicker: despite log burners being a major source of pollution, only one fine has been handed out.
The council admitted they only looked into 14 cases this year. They just don’t have the staff or resources to check if people are burning the right fuels. It’s a bit of a mess, really.
Cllr Kaz Self is raising awareness about this issue, especially with Clean Air Night coming up. She pointed out that pollution from wood burning is worse in winter when the air is still.
The group Mums for Lungs has highlighted that fine particles from wood smoke can lead to serious health issues. They’re pushing the council to take action and ask how many fines have been issued.
A council spokesperson mentioned that there’s no longer a hefty fine for breaching smoke control orders. They can’t really tell what people are burning in their homes.
They do have on-the-spot fines for smoking chimneys, but the process is lengthy. First, they send a warning before any fines are issued.
In 2024, the council only got 14 complaints about chimney smoke, the same as the previous year. Just one person was fined £175 this year.
When the government gave councils these powers, they didn’t provide any funding to enforce them. Cllr Ellie King called the situation a joke, saying they lack the resources to implement new policies.
Former councillor Nicola Beech echoed this, saying the policy lacks strength due to funding issues. With the cost of living crisis, people are turning to cheaper, but harmful, heating methods.
The group Action for Clean Air is urging people to talk about wood burning. They stress that it’s one of the most polluting ways to heat a home, affecting both health and the environment.
