Smoke Control

Smoke Control Areas

In December 1952, the London smog resulted in over 4000 extra deaths during a five-day period, caused mainly by the burning of coal on domestic grates.

In response to this, the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 were passed. These Acts enabled Local Authorities to declare Smoke Control Areas, or “Smokeless Zones”, to reduce smoke and sulphur dioxide pollution associated with domestic coal burning. The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 have now been consolidated into the Clean Air Act 1993.

Only authorised smokeless fuels are permitted to be used in Barnsley, to prevent smoke being emitted from chimneys and it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney by burning unauthorised fuel (such as wood or bituminous coal).

Traditional solid fuels may be used however, on specific exempted appliances. These are designed to operate with reduced smoke emissions, and are officially exempted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs after independent testing.

Is it also an offence to acquire or to sell by retail for delivery in a Smoke Control Area, any fuel, other than an authorised fuel, unless the premises or fireplace is exempt.

The entire Barnsley Borough is now covered with Smoke Control Areas, which has helped to reduce smoke and sulphur dioxide dramatically within the Borough.

Click here for information on domestic smoke control, including maps of smoke control areas, details of authorised fuels and exempted appliances.

http://www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk

Other Local Air Pollution Issues

Bonfire

Although there are no byelaws that prohibit the burning of garden rubbish, or specify times when a bonfire should be lit, care must be taken in the use of bonfires, as not to cause annoyance or nuisance to neighbours.

Barnsley MBC receives periodic complaints about smoke, odour and deposited smut from garden bonfires, and has a duty to investigate if a complaint is received. If the problem is persistent, and accordingly the complaint is justified, then the Council can issue a nuisance abatement notice and further complaints could result in prosecution.

In addition, emissions from bonfires may have health effects, particular with regard to susceptible individuals, such as people with pre-existing respiratory problems, the very young and very elderly. The latest scientific research suggests that bonfires and uncontrolled burning are now a significant UK source of Dioxin and Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, both groups of chemicals known to have carcinogenic effects.

The following steps can be taken to minimise the effects of bonfires:

If you are having a garden bonfire or barbeque tell your neighbours, and check to see that any wind will blow the smoke away from your neighbours.
Try burning only dry garden waste, as wet garden waste produces more smoke.
Certain weather conditions make the effects of bonfires worse. Smoke does not disperse very well on still, damp days, and in the evenings.
Do not burn household waste, or anything containing, rubber, paint, foam or plastic. These can give off toxic fumes.
Consider alternatives to the burning of garden waste, such as composting of garden waste, and re-cycling of some household waste.
When air pollution levels are very high or high, avoid burning your waste. Your bonfire will contribute to increasing the general background pollution concentrations at this time. Information on local air pollution can be obtained from elsewhere on this web site.

Wherever possible avoid burning all together and look to alternative, more sustainable means of disposal such as composting.

Dark Smoke from Trade or Industrial Premises

It is an offence under section 2 of the Clean Air Act to cause or permit the emission of dark smoke from industrial or trade premises. This includes demolition work and site clearance activities (subject to certain exemptions).
In this case it is not always necessary for the officers to have witnessed dark smoke being produced. For example if a report is received of dark smoke coming from a
premises or site the officer only has to see the remains of the substance that produced the smoke whilst it was burning e.g. charred tyre remains or burned out car.
If it is clear that the burned remnants were produced by the occupier of the site then the officer may take formal action with a view to prosecution. This could result in a fine of up to £20,000.
There are specific defences to the emission of dark smoke from industrial chimneys, essentially for permitted periods to enable soot blowing and starting up appliances from cold.
Further information can be obtained from the Pollution Control Section.

Cable Burning
It is an offence under section 33 of the Clean Air Act to burn cable for the purpose of recovering metal unless it is carried out as a controlled process authorised by the Environment Agency.
Where an officer from the Council's Pollution Control Section witnesses that a person is carrying out unauthorised burning of such material then formal action will be taken that may result in prosecution.

The Council provides 4 Household Waste Recycling Centres for the disposal and recycling of household waste. They are free of charge to residents within the Barnsley Borough and are located at:

• Nicholas Lane, Goldthorpe
• Smithies Lane, Barnsley
• Springvale, Penistone
· West Street, Worsbrough Bridge

Opening hours

1st October - 31st March
9:30AM - 4:30PM

Sites will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day

1st April - 30th September
9:30AM - 7:45PM

To complement these Household Waste Recycling Centres, the Council also provides a number of Bring Sites throughout the Borough which provide a variety of facilities to recycle other items of household waste.

Nuisance

Under the Environment Protection Act 1990, a statutory nuisance may be smoke, gases or general fumes, emitted from premises, which are deemed to be prejudicial to health, or deemed to be a nuisance. Statutory nuisance also includes any dust or effluvia arising from any business or trade premises.

If a complaint is received, Barnsley MBC Pollution Control Section, is committed to investigating the complaint on you behalf. Subsequently, if in the opinion of the Council, a nuisance does exist, the Council will require steps to be taken to abate the nuisance. This may involve the serving of a legal notice, if negotiation and advice fails to solve the problem. In rare cases, this may lead to proceedings in the Magistrates Court, and the imposition of a fine and an order to prevent the nuisance. If the order is not complied with, then further fines may follow.

The National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection provide further advice on these issues. Click here for further information.