Gedling Borough Council is seeking to extend its existing Smoke Control Areas to encompass the whole borough. These areas are designed to prevent the burning of high-polluting fuels, safeguarding the public from harmful microscopic particles that can lead to severe health conditions.
Presently, Gedling borough has 41 Smoke Control Areas in operation, covering approximately 21% of the borough. These were implemented between 1962 and 1994 and currently cover most of the urban area and Calverton, Newstead and Bestwood villages.
Gedling Borough Council is now considering revoking the existing smoke control orders and replacing them with a single smoke control order, which will cover the entire borough.
Many councils of England are classed as smoke control areas, this means only certain fuels can be burnt in select wood burning stoves. In these areas there is a limit on how much smoke you can release from a chimney and you can only burn authorised fuel, unless you use an ‘exempt appliance’.
In England you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if officers of the council can issue witness the emission of burning unauthorised fuel without an exempt appliance. Correctly seasoned wood, timber or logs will need to be used in a DEFRA approved stove or smokeless fuel should be used. Therefore, knowing if you live in a smoke control area is key to avoiding costly payments.
A spokesman said: “Gedling Borough Council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the local community – improving local air quality is one way in which we are working to achieve this goal.”
Where the Smoke Control Areas currently cover
Currently, the borough Council’s 41 Smoke Control Areas cover most of the urban area and Calverton, Newstead and Bestwood villages.
A map displaying the existing Smoke Control Areas can be found on the borough council’s website HERE
The proposed changes would involve revoking the existing 41 areas and implementing a single Smoke Control Area that covers the entire borough. Residents living in areas already covered by a Smoke Control Area will not be affected by these changes.
It is important to note that houseboats are not included in the existing Smoke Control Areas and will not be covered by the proposed single Smoke Control Area.
The next step in this process involves Gedling Borough Council considering the approval of a public consultation on the proposed changes. If approved, a single Smoke Control Area for Gedling borough will follow.
How do I have my say?
You can do so by completing the online consultation form.
You can respond to the consultation by email and state yes in support/no do not support the proposed changes to enquiries@gedling.gov.uk or by writing to:
Public Protection
Gedling Borough Council
Civic Centre
Arnot Hill Park
Arnold
Nottinghamshire
NG59 6LU
Please mark letters or use the email subject heading ‘Objection to revision to Smoke Control Orders’.
Comments should be received by the council by January 5, 2024.
