READING Borough Council is set to expand its smoke-control area (SCA) across the borough from December, it has announced.
The council is now set to extend the SCA across the whole of Reading after proposals were green-lit by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
The smoke-control area allows the council to issue a financial penalty of between £175-£300 to anyone using chimneys in any buildings.
It comes as part of the council’s drive to improve air quality and reduce pollution.
Households within the SCA can burn solid fuels in appliances which have been approved by DEFRA, or can use solid fuels bearing the “ready to burn” logo on an open fire or other appliances.
Outdoor appliances, such as chimineas, barbecues, garden fireplaces, or pizza overs, can be used as long as they do not release smoke through the chimney of a building.
Garden bonfires are permitted if they comply with rules laid out in the council’s rulings, aimed at avoiding ‘nuisance’ fires.
The current SCA already covers around 62% percent of Reading, which the public consultation
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “There has been an increase in the number of homes burning solid fuel in recent years and the smoke it emits can be damaging to people’s health.
“In fact, Public Health England estimates that solid fuel burning could now account for more than 30% of local particulate emissions (PM2.5), which can be particularly harmful to the young, elderly and those with respiratory problems.
“The creation of a borough-wide smoke control area will benefit residents’ health and make it easier for households to understand the rules about burning solid fuels in Reading.”
Details about bonfire compliance are available via: reading.gov.uk/nuisance-animals-and-pests/bonfires/
More information about Smoke Control Areas is available via: reading.gov.uk/climate-and-pollution
