READING is set to become a borough-wide Smoke Control Area next week.
On Sunday, December 1, Reading Borough Council’s enforcement of the borough as a Smoke Control Area (SCA) comes into effect.
It will mean households in an SCA can burn solid fuels on an appliance which is on the DEFRA-approved list or use manufactured solid fuels bearing the ‘ready to burn’ logo on an open fire or non-Defra exempt appliance.
The use of outdoor barbecues, chimineas, garden fireplaces or pizza ovens can be used as long as they do not release smoke through the chimney of a building, including, for example, a summerhouse. Garden bonfires are allowed in SCAs if they follow the rules on the Council’s bonfires webpage.
The council can issue a penalty of between £175-£300 to the responsible person where smoke is emitting from a chimney within the SCA.
The expansion of the scheme is part of the Council’s drive to improve air quality in the borough and create a healthier environment for residents.
Burning wood and coal releases tiny, harmful particles into the air which can be breathed in and affect every organ in the body, increasing the risk of serious illnesses such as lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.
Children are especially vulnerable as exposure can stunt lung growth and affect their development.
SCAs help reduce this harmful pollution by managing the use of solid fuel appliances which are a major source of these emissions.
The borough-wide initative will replace the 21 existing smoke control areas which already cover around 62% of Reading, and is part of the council’s drive to improve air quality in the borough.
It follows a public consultation conducted last year, after which the proposal was approved by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs in July.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“The creation of a borough-wide Smoke Control Area will help reduce the release of harmful pollution which can affect every organ in the body and increase the risk of serious illness.
“It will also be much easier for households to understand if the rules apply to them, as the SCA will cover the whole of Reading borough rather than separate pockets of the town.
“I would encourage households and businesses to visit the Council website to check what can and cannot be burned if you live inside an SCA.”
Full details about the Smoke Control Area can be found via: reading.gov.uk/climate-and-pollution
