Smoke control and bonfires

Smoke control area

All of Brent council area is declared as a ‘smoke control area’ (SCA) under the Clean Air Act 1993. This is to control emissions from domestic chimneys caused by the burning of coal and wood, to protect human health. 

Smoke control area rules

• It's against the rules to let smoke out of your home chimney.
• You must use specific fuels allowed in the area.
• Selling or using unapproved fuels for the use in places within an SCA, is not allowed.

There are some exceptions, for example where:

• the fuel is an ‘authorised fuel’, which is permitted to be used in a SCA

• the fuel is being burnt in an ‘ exempted appliance’, where particular types of unauthorised fuels can be used

• Does not apply to garden bonfires. However, we advise you refrain from garden bonfires, as this may cause smoke or smell nuisance to neighbours.

Your fuel supplier will be able to advise you on the most suitable fuel for your heating/cooking appliance. 

Wood burning

We have joined a group of 18 London boroughs on the London Wood Burning Project which aims to protect the health of people in London by raising awareness and improving understanding of the health impacts from domestic wood and other solid fuel burning.

Impact of burning wood

• Burning wood contributes to 17% of harmful emissions in Brent.
• It costs the borough £6 million yearly in health-related issues.
• Long-term exposure to these emissions can lead to health problems like heart and lung diseases, and is linked to adverse birth outcomes, diabetes, dementia and cancer.

Advice for burning fuels

 If you do burn fuels, follow the Smoke Control Area Rules and consider Defra's Burn Better guidance to reduce pollution exposure.