With more people turning to open fires and wood burning stoves as the colder months arrive, Bath & North East Somerset Council is advising residents in Bath's Smoke Control Area to help improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

The city of Bath is a designated Smoke Control Area which means that smoky fuels, such as wood and coal, must not be burned in an open fire place.

The first Smoke Control Area – covering the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland wards – was established in 1980 due to a problem with the level of smoke and sulphur dioxide from domestic open fires. A further eight control areas were subsequently introduced over a 14 year period which now cover the whole of the city of Bath, including Combe Down, Odd Down, Lower Swainswick and Bailbrook.

Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "If you wish to burn wood and coal in the Smoke Control Area then you need to purchase an approved multi-fuel or wood burning stove. The approved stoves, also known as 'exempt appliances', have undergone rigorous tests to show that they are capable of operating without emitting visible smoke.

"If you already have an open fire place or a standard non-approved multi-fuel or wood burning stove, then you can still burn authorised smokeless fuels. Bath & North East Somerset Council is offering this advice to residents so that they don't end up getting a £1,000 fine for breaching the regulations."

For a list of approved appliances including wood burning stoves or a list of authorised fuels, please visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/SmokeControlArea or contact Bath & North East Somerset Council's Public Protection Team on 01225 396003 or environmental_monitoring@bathnes.gov.uk

A map showing the boundary of the Smoke Control Area can be found on the Council's Smoke Control Area web page. Residents can also get in touch with the contact details above to ask whether or not their property is located within the Smoke Control Area.

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