Single smoke control area

Overview

Smoke control areas are designed to protect the population from poor air quality. They are commonly used in urban areas to combat the negative health effects of smoke from chimneys.

Following the introduction of the Clean Air Act of 1956, local authorities were able to declare smoke control areas within their boundaries. In Leicester this process began in 1958 and finished in 1975, resulting in the city’s smoke control area being covered by 38 separate smoke control  orders

This means that anyone burning fuel within a smoke control area has to burn an authorised smokeless fuel, or use an appliance that is officially exempt because it does not produce any (or very little) smoke. The city council is authorised to take action against anyone who doesn't meet these conditions.

Although smoke control areas were originally introduced to tackle problems associated with the burning of coal they apply to all appliances – including those using wood.

Why your views matter

We are proposing to replace the existing 38 separate smoke control orders with a single smoke control order that will cover the whole of the city. 

This consultation is to help us assess people’s understanding and support of having a smoke control area in Leicester; and to decide whether we should make special provisions for particular parts of the city or exempt specific buildings or appliances.

We believe that maintaining the city as a smoke control area will help us to reduce ambient pollution levels and the negative effect on public health. A single updated control order would also reduce the amount of time staff spend dealing with incidents.