The whole of Leicester City Council area has been designated a smoke control area.
This means that it is an offence to emit smoke within the city from a:
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chimney of a building
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furnace
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fixed boiler
It is also an offence to acquire an 'unauthorised fuel' (such as house coal or wood) for use within a smoke control area unless it is used in an 'exempt' appliance ('exempted' from the controls which generally apply in the smoke control area).
The current maximum level of fine is £1,000 for each offence.
History
The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 were introduced to deal with the smogs of the 1950s and 1960s which were caused by the widespread burning of coal for domestic heating and by industry. These smogs were blamed for the premature deaths of hundreds of people in the UK.
In Leicester, smoke control was gradually introduced between 1958 and 1975 on an area basis.
These appliances (ovens, wood burners and stoves) are capable of operating without emitting smoke. The appliances must be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturers instructions. List of exempt appliances.
These fuels have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning in an open fireplace without producing smoke. List of authorised fuels.
Link for further information regarding smoke control areas
