Smoke control and log burners

Sunderland has been declared a Smoke Control Area Under the Clean Air Act.

This means you can't emit smoke from a chimney unless you are burning an authorised fuel or using an exempt appliance.

You can be fined £1000 if you break the rules

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs has produced a practical guide for the use of open fires and wood burning stoves.

What you can burn in smoke control areas

In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuel, unless you are using an exempt appliances  that can burn unauthorised fuels.

Unauthorised fuels, such as wood, can be burned in exempt appliances such as some boilers, cookers and stoves, but you must only use the types of fuel that the manufacturer says can be used in the appliance.

If you are installing an exempt appliance in your home you will require building control consent, unless the work is carried out by a member of a Competent Person Scheme e.g. HETAS the official body recognised by Government to approve biomass and solid fuel domestic heating appliances.

Outdoor ovens, burners and barbecues

You can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens.

Any of these appliances that release smoke through a chimney of a building, for example a summerhouse, can only burn authorised fuel or must be exempt.

How to make a complaint

Report chimney smoke from another property

Please be aware that we do not investigate anonymous complaints.