The Clean Air Acts were originally designed to control smogs cause by the widespread burning of coal and wood in the mid 20th Century. These Acts allowed Local Authorities to create Smoke Control Areas (SCA’s). The creation of a SCA prohibits visible smoke from a chimney unless it arises
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from the burning of an authorised fuel (an authorised fuel is a fuel which does not produce smoke when burned and has been approved as such by law)
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from the use of an exempt appliance (exempt appliances are ones which have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting smoke.)
The purchase or delivery of a non-approved solid fuel in a smoke control area (unless it is to be used in an exempt appliance) is also prohibited.
All of the West Dunbartonshire area apart from Gartocharn is covered by Smoke Control Orders.
Full details of which fuels are authorised and which appliances are exempt can be found at http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk
If you require any further information or advice please contact the Environmental Health Section on 01389 738290 or email environmental.health@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
