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Smoke control and bonfires

Have your Say on cleaner, healthier waterways!
RRR Consultancy Ltd is researching air pollution, fuel use, and energy options among London boat dwellers to inform policy and support cleaner energy choices. Boaters are invited to participate in a survey or interviews to help shape a more sustainable waterways strategy.
Take part by completing a short online survey by Friday 30 May 2025.

Smoke control and bonfires

Did you know?

The burning of any kind releases particulate matter (PM), which is harmful to health. Fine PM (PM2.5) is of particular concern, it can enter the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to reduced life expectancy and diseases like cardiovascular and respiratory issues, diabetes, dementia, and cancer. If you choose to burn solid fuel or waste, we strongly encourage you to follow the below guidance to protect your health.

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. 

You could be fined up to £1,000, if you break the rules.

Wood burning

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

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.

Advice for bonfires

We urge residents to avoid burning waste as smoke from bonfires is harmful to your and your neighbours’ health. Smoke from bonfires can cause a nuisance to neighbours and it is also illegal to burn certain types of household waste. Instead of burning waste we encourage you to use the following services:
  • Garden waste, use Brent’s Green waste collection service or compost at home
  • Bulky waste, take to Brent’s household recycling centre or use Brent’s Bulky waste service
  • Hazardous waste including chemical waste, asbestos, and paint, use Brent’s hazardous waste collection service

To prevent harm to your and your neighbour’s health, there are laws about burning waste outdoors. You must not:

  • Burn any trade, industrial or commercial waste that could cause hazardous smoke, including plastics, paints, rubber, furniture, treated wood (including decking), and kitchen units ((Section 33 (c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990).
  • Allow smoke to drift across the road and become a danger to traffic (Section 161A of the Highways Act 1980).
  •  Produce frequent smoke nuisance incidents within the meaning of the law that interferes with others living nearby, preventing them from using or enjoying their homes or affecting their health (Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990).

If you do choose to have a bonfire, we encourage you to follow this advice to limit its impact:

  • Only burn clean, untreated, dry wood
  • Site the bonfire as far away as possible from your and your neighbours’ houses
  • Check the wind direction
  • Avoid burning when pollution in the local area is forecast to be high

Report a nuisance

You should use the online form to report nuisances that are not noise related.

Report a nuisance online
Last updated 24/04/25

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Sign up to become an Air Quality Champion

We have launched our Community Champions programme for air quality which aims to recruit community volunteers to raise awareness of pollution and feed into the solutions.

Apply to become Community Champion for air quality