Do you know the rules?
Most residential areas in Bedford and Kempston are in a Smoke Control Area.
In smoke control areas you must:
- only use authorised/certified fuels or exempt appliances.
Authorised fuels have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning in an open fireplace and produce less smoke.
Exempt appliances are capable of burning unauthorised fuel but emit less smoke.
In smoke control areas, you must not:
- emit smoke from a chimney
- buy or sell unauthorised fuel for use in a smoke control area unless it's used in an 'exempt' appliance (appliances which are approved for use in smoke control areas)
You cannot burn unauthorised fuels such as wood and coal unless in an exempt appliance. It is an offence to emit a substantial amount of smoke from a chimney of a building, or from a furnace, or any fixed boiler in a smoke control area.
We issue fines of up to £1,000 for burning waste which creates smoke in the Bedford and Kempston smoke control area.
View our smoke control area map.
FAQs
Can you burn wood and coal in a smoke control area?
Only in an exempt appliance.
Can you burn any manufactured solid fuel in a smoke control area?
No, all manufactured solid fuels must be ‘Ready to Burn’ certified, but also authorised if used in a smoke control area.
Can I use an open fire in a smoke control area?
Yes, but you can only burn authorised fuels.
Solid fuel appliances
If you are thinking of buying a solid fuel appliance such as a multi-fuel stove, boiler, cooker, pizza oven, etc, please consider purchasing one that has a Defra exemption permitting its use in smoke control areas or is built to the new 'Ecodesign Ready stove' specification. These have been rigorously tested and demonstrate low smoke emissions.
Stoves which have not undergone these tests do not carry this assurance and you cannot burn unauthorised fuels on a non-exempt appliance in a Smoke Control Area. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that's not approved by Defra in a smoke control area.