Published: Friday 03rd February 2023 | 11.29am
Cannock Chase Council is considering some changes to its smoke control orders and is seeking the views of the public on the proposed changes.
Between 1988 and 1996, the Council made fifteen smoke control orders, which in turn create smoke control areas, covering the majority of the District.
The aim of a smoke control area is to improve local air quality, by limiting the amount of smoke which can be emitted from chimneys (both domestic and industrial). Where smoke is emitted from a chimney in a smoke control area, the Council can issue a financial penalty of between £175 and £300 to the responsible person.
The Council intends to revoke the original fifteen smoke control orders and issue a revised order, to cover the entire District. This will make enforcement of the requirements more straightforward.
The Council also proposes to bring moored vessels (i.e. canal boats) into the scope of the new smoke control order. This means that it would be unlawful for moored canal boats to emit smoke, and owners/occupiers could be subject to receiving a financial penalty. There is an exemption for smoke which is created to propel the vessel or to generate electricity but there is no exemption for heating. Wood, timber or logs will need to be used in a DEFRA approved stove or smokeless fuel should be used.
Councillor Justin Johnson, Portfolio Leader for Environment and Climate Change said “This is good news for Cannock Chase and will help us protect air quality in the District and the wider environment. The proposal also supports our aim of reducing carbon emissions to help tackle climate change. We encourage our residents to be responsible when burning fuel and these proposals will give us the tools to tackle those whose smoke has an unacceptable impact on others.”
More information can be found at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/smokecontrol
The consultation will close on 31 March 2023, please send comments to environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or telephone 01543 462621. Any objections should be clearly headed ‘Objection to revision to Smoke Control Orders'.