What is a Smoke Control Area?

Smoke Control Areas are designed to control emissions from chimneys caused by the burning of coal and wood in domestic dwellings as well as commercial and industrial premises. The Clean Air Act 1993 enables local Councils to establish 'Smoke Control Areas'. Tamworth Borough Council has declared the whole of Tamworth as a smoke control area.

In Tamworth it is therefore an offence to:

• Emit smoke from a building;
• Use solid fuel, fixed boiler or industrial plant unless they are made for smoke control areas and
• Sell and deliver solid fuel that is not suitable for smoke control areas.

This means all properties within the borough of Tamworth must not burn unauthorised fuel such as wood, turf or household coal unless it is the appropriate fuel and is burnt on an exempted fireplace. Alternatively only ‘authorised smokeless fuels’ can be used. For an up to date list of exempted fireplaces and authorised fuels please follow the link to the UK Smoke Control website.

If you are troubled by smoke from a neighbouring chimney be it residential or commercial/industrial contact Environmental Management on 01827 709445. A person found contravening the smoke control order can be prosecuted and fined up to £2,000.