Tackling air pollution – have your say on Smoke Control Areas

In 2024, we launched our new, real-time air quality monitoring network to help us better understand the nature of air pollution in the city.

One of the pollutants we’ve been keen to understand in more depth relates to fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. This kind of pollution can travel from the lungs into the bloodstream and onward to other vital organs. A major contributor to this type of pollution is the burning of solid fuels in wood burners and open fires.

Thanks to the new monitoring network, we now have a comprehensive set of data from around the city over the last year. This data shows that PM2.5 is 91% higher during the winter than during the summer on average, and 78% higher outside 4 city primary schools.

We’re now asking people across the city for their views on a proposal that would help reduce harmful air pollution and improve our health.

A 6 week consultation is being launched on Clean Air Night (Thursday 22 January) to gather feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders on replacing the city’s current 5 Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) with one that would cover the whole of Brighton & Hove.

The consultation includes several in person engagement events where people can come along and ask questions. More information about times and locations of the events can be found on the consultation page.

At the end of the consultation, we’ll review all the views and comments before a final decision is made by Cabinet members.

The consultation is open for comments until Sunday 1 March.

Cleaner air for everyone

We want to reduce air pollution from burning coal, wood, and waste.

Persistent smoke from chimneys can worsen air quality and increase the risk of serious health issues including asthma, heart disease and strokes.

Data from the city’s air quality sensors across Brighton & Hove showed dramatic increases in harmful particle pollution last winter.

PM2.5 pollution (fine particles more than 20 times thinner than a human hair) was 91% higher during the winter months compared with the summer.

What is a Smoke Control Area?

A Smoke Control Area is a legally defined area where you cannot emit smoke from a chimney or buy an unauthorised fuel unless it’s for use in an exempt appliance.

Brighton & Hove currently has 5 Smoke Control Areas covering much of the Hanover, Lewes Road, Bevendean and the city centre.

Read more about Smoke Control Areas in Brighton & Hove.

Improving the city’s health

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environment, said: “Air pollution has a huge detrimental impact on our health. Over the last couple of winters, we’ve been raising awareness of this problem, and we’re now seeking views on a possible next step that would see the city covered by a single Smoke Control Area.

“The evidence is very clear – burning solid fuels in our city is contributing to serious health problems and deaths, and we cannot ignore that.

“Clean Air Night is a fitting time to launch this consultation as it seeks to highlight the damaging impacts air pollution is having on our health. We want to hear the views of as many of our residents and businesses as possible and I’d encourage everyone to take part.”