Smoke control areas
Rossendale is a designated Smoke Control Area to improve air quality. As a result of this, residents are only allowed to burn authorised fuels in an open fireplace or on an exempt appliance.
You cannot release smoke for a chimney
Burning of any domestic waste is not allowed
You can only burn authorised fuel, unless you use an appliance approved by DEFRA (also know as an 'exempt appliance' or 'DEFRA approved appliance)
You have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance thats not approved by DEFRA
Please also see the leaflet Open fires and wood burning stoves- A practical guide
There's lots of information on the Burn Right website
An interesting read is the Chief Medical Officers Annual Report 2022 Air Pollution especially figure 10 which graphically illustrates the amount of pollution from domestic heating methods
For queries on smoke control please contact envhealth@rossendalebc.gov.uk