Clean Air Act 1993

The Clean Air Act 1993, introduced a wide range of new regulations such as those which control smoke emissions and the height of chimneys.

Dark Smoke

It is an offence to cause or permit the emission of dark smoke from industrial or trade premises

Smoke Control Areas

These are intended to control pollution in areas where the predominant fuel used for domestic heating is coal. There are no smoke control areas in Tandridge.

Chimney Heights

The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height of a chimney.

Under section 14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to approval adhered to, it is an offence to cause to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuel
• burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter or
• burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter

An application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.

The local authority must consider an application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between us and the applicant that a longer period is allowed. If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification is given.