Residents using log burners to heat their homes in parts of South Gloucestershire face new fines of up to £300. Council leaders approved the introduction of financial penalties in the district’s smoke control area but insisted it was not a blanket ban on domestic solid fuel, fires or stoves.
South Gloucestershire Council has been given new legal powers to issue the fines, which aim to improve air quality by reducing harmful pollution called particulate matter, or PM2.5. This is emitted from burning wood and can cause serious health problems. It follows a similar decision by Bristol City Council last September, whose leaders later branded the policy a “bit of a joke” and lacking teeth because the Government was providing no money for enforcement.
A report to South Gloucestershire Council cabinet on Monday, April 15, said: “Enforcement action will not be necessary if authorised fuels or a Defra-approved appliance are used but may apply to a small number of solid fuel appliances especially if operated in a way that does not comply with the regulations. This is not a complete ban on burning fuels or of fires, burners or stoves but aimed at ensuring fuels and devices are used more efficiently.
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“Smoke from outdoor burning is not covered by smoke control area rules. This therefore excludes from enforcement action barbecues, chimineas, pizza ovens and bonfires which are outside and not in a building.”
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The smoke control area covers a large area south of the M4 between the M5 and M32 and includes Filton, Stoke Gifford, Patchway, Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and a small number of roads in Kingswood. The report said a written warning would be sent first to residents breaking the rules, followed by a second warning if smoke was seen again coming from a chimney and then a final notice with a fine of £175 for a first offence and £300 if it happens again.
Environmental health manager Shaun Fudge told the meeting that support would be available from the council’s Warm and Well energy advice partner which provided grants and access to low-interest loans for improvements such as insulation and renewable energy. Cabinet member for communities and local place Cllr Sean Rhodes (Labour, Kingswood) said: “The negative impact of small particulates on public health is well documented, so every step we can take to reduce those emissions should be welcomed as an improvement to the lived environment in those affected areas.”
Cabinet member for climate and nature emergency Cllr Louise Harris (Lib Dem, Dodington) said: “As with all things in life it’s a question of balance and with this policy we are trying to do that taking into account air quality issues. The key thing is the extra support for energy advice for people who might be affected by it, which I certainly welcome.”
