Smoke control areas

Smoke control areas (SCAs)

Solid fuel burning, such as wood and coal fires, releases particulate matter and other pollutants which can harm air quality. Smoke, Burning and Air Quality are covered in more detail on our Air Quality page.

To protect air quality and the health of residents, some areas of Chorley have been designated smoke control areas, see Chorley smoke control areas map (PDF) [3MB] .

As a result of this, there is a limit on how much smoke you can release from a chimney.  You can only burn authorised fuels in an open fireplace or on an exempt appliances. View more information on smoke control areas on the GOV.UK website.

Amendments to Smoke Control Area enforcement under the Environment Act 2021 came into effect on 1st May 2022. The updated rules are available on the UK Government website, rules on Smoke Control Areas. In summary, the legislation for SCAs is:

1. If burning a 'controlled'/'unauthorised' fuel (e.g. wood), an appropriate DEFRA approved appliance must be used Link to DEFRA approved appliances.
2. If using other appliances (i.e. not DEFRA approved): smokeless' fuels such as anthracite, semi-anthracite, gas or low volatile steam; or approved manufactured solid fuels can be used Link to DEFRA approved fuels.
3. Any smoke is subject to a financial penalty in a smoke control area.

If you use a log burner or stove at home look out for the government-approved 'Ready To Burn' logo when buying small bags of firewood and solid fuel briquettes. This means it has a low moisture content, so it burns more efficiently with less pollution.

View more information on  open fires and wood burning stoves (PDF) [150KB] .

There is also lots of information on the Burn Right and Ready To Burn websites.

In England you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your local council decides your chimney releases too much smoke.

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you burn unauthorised fuel without an exempt appliance.

For queries on smoke control please contact us by email to contact@chorley.gov.uk.