Shoppers reminded to examine authorized necessities earlier than burning wooden this winter | Newsroom

Residents throughout Bath and North East Somerset are being inspired to examine that fuels they use in open fires and stoves adjust to legal guidelines that cut back the chance of air air pollution from wooden burning.

Burning wooden and different strong fuels can emit harmful air pollution inside and out of doors of the house and councils can now implement in opposition to burning of unauthorised supplies in designated smoke management areas, of which one is the town of Bath, beneath the Environment Act.

It is unlawful to burn smoky fuels corresponding to wooden and coal in an open hearth or in a non-approved wooden burning or multi-fuel range within the Smoke Control Area.

The council can take enforcement motion of a £175 high quality for a primary offence, rising to £300 for every subsequent offence.

Residents can discover the cleanest fuels to burn at dwelling by searching for Ready to Burn certification when shopping for merchandise which ensures that logs, briquettes, and kindling have a moisture content material of 20% or much less. 

The council has lately written to native merchants to remind them in regards to the necessary certification wanted when promoting one of these product. 

Bonfires should not included within the Environment Act laws for wooden burning, nevertheless the council can nonetheless take motion if a bonfire causes a statutory nuisance beneath the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and cupboard member for Sustainable B&NES, stated: “We know that many residents use indoor fires and wood burners, especially as the colder months approach. While we’re not telling people not to burn at all, it’s important that everyone is aware of how to do so safely and legally. 

“Particulate matter can travel through the air over long distances and burning the right fuels helps protect air quality and our health across Bath and North East Somerset, as well as in the Smoke Control Area, and ensures compliance with the law. There is no proven safe level of air pollution and it is invisible, so the more we can collectively do to reduce emissions, the better.”

Visit the council’s indoor fires and wood burning webpage for steering on protected burning and to verify the proper merchandise are bought from respected sources.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs supplies a list of exempt appliances. 

Use the council’s Energy at Home service to investigate about monetary help to make vitality effectivity enhancements to properties.

ENDS