Burnley Council holding consultation on proposals to extend Smoke Control Area coverage across borough

Burnley Borough Council is inviting people to have their say on proposals to extend Smoke Control Area coverage across the whole borough to help reduce air pollution and protect people's health.

Most of Burnley is already covered by Smoke Control Areas, but some areas, including newer housing developments, fall outside the existing boundaries.

The council is proposing to bring these areas together under one borough-wide Smoke Control Area.

Smoke Control Areas help reduce pollution by restricting smoke from chimneys and controlling which fuels can be burned in open fires and wood-burning stoves.

Within these areas, people must use authorised fuels unless they have an appliance approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for the fuel they want to burn.

Although air quality in Burnley has improved over the years, smoke from burning wood and other solid fuels can still affect people's health, particularly children, older people and those with heart or lung conditions.

Coun. Mohammed Ishtiaq, Burnley Borough Council's Executive Member for Community and Environmental Services, said

"Air quality affects everyone, and we want to understand people's experiences of smoke across Burnley, as well as how much they already know about Smoke Control Areas.

"The survey will help us understand people's views on the proposed expansion, any concerns they may have and where clearer information is needed.

"You don't need to have a wood-burning stove or open fire to take part. I'd encourage everyone who lives, works, studies or visits the borough to have their say."