Reading becomes a borough-wide Smoke Control Area from 1 December

Environment

• Restrictions on burning of solid fuels in homes and businesses will expand to the whole borough
• The scheme aims to improve air quality and protect the health of Reading residents

All of Reading borough will become a Smoke Control Area (SCA) from Sunday 1 December to reduce the release of harmful pollutants into the air.

The borough-wide SCA will replace the 21 existing smoke control areas which already cover around 62% of Reading.

The expansion of the scheme is part of the Council's drive to improve air quality in the borough and create a healthier environment for residents.

Burning wood and coal releases tiny harmful particles into the air which can be breathed in and affect every organ in the body, increasing the risk of serious illnesses such as lung disease, heart disease and cancer.

Children are especially vulnerable as exposure can stunt lung growth and affect their development.

SCAs help reduce this harmful pollution by managing the use of solid fuel appliances, such as wood stoves, which are a major source of these emissions.

Households in an SCA can burn solid fuels on an appliance which is on the Defra approved list or use manufactured solid fuels bearing the 'ready to burn' logo on an open fire or non-Defra exempt appliance.

The use of outdoor barbecues, chimineas, garden fireplaces or pizza ovens can be used as long as they do not release smoke through the chimney of a building, e.g. a summerhouse. Garden bonfires are allowed in SCAs if they follow the rules on the Council's bonfires webpage.

The Council can issue a penalty of between £175 - £300 to the responsible person where smoke is emitting from a chimney within the SCA.

A public consultation on creating a borough-wide SCA was conducted by the Council in autumn 2023 and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) approved the scheme in July 2024.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

"The creation of a borough-wide Smoke Control Area will help reduce the release of harmful pollution which can affect every organ in the body and increase the risk of serious illness.

"It will also be much easier for households to understand if the rules apply to them, as the SCA will cover the whole of Reading borough rather than separate pockets of the town.

"I would encourage households and businesses to visit the Council website to check what can and cannot be burned if you live inside an SCA."

Full details can be found at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/climate-and-pollution/smoke-control-areas-smoke-control-areas/