Smoke control areas

Smoke control areas

Brighton & Hove City Council has statutory powers to control smoke from domestic and commercial sources. Clean Air Acts allow local authorities to designate Smoke Control Areas (SCA) which place legal restrictions on combustion and the use of certain appliances and fuels. The restrictions also apply to the sale of fuels in or adjacent to a SCA.

Brighton & Hove has 5 SCAs covering much of the Hanover, Lewes Road, Bevendean and the city centre areas. There are no Smoke Control Areas in Hove. 

View an interactive map of the Brighton smoke control areas.

Cleaner heat and stoves

In a Smoke Control Area, you must use an exempt appliance to burn wood, manufactured solid fuels or coal. An exempt appliance will only be legal for use in a SCA with authorised fuels. For example, if the appliance is only exempt for burning dry wood you must not use it to burn coal.  

Clean Air Act compliance and legal requirements for Smoke Control Areas

Suppliers must show manufacturer certification that the appliances they're selling are on the Government’s exempt appliance list for lawful use in the SCA. Operators must have clear instructions that the fuel:

  • can be used with their solid fuel appliance without creating excess pollution
  • is authorised for use in an SCA

Manufacturers risk prosecution under the Environment Act if they sell uncertified fuels such as:

  • damp wood
  • petroleum
  • coke or sulphurous coals

Enforcement of Smoke Control Areas

It's illegal to emit smoke from a building chimney in an SCA. Residents and commercial operators can be fined up to £300.

You can report an environmental nuisance. We'll review it and investigate it further if necessary.