Wakefield Council issues first fine for illegal use of log burners

A West Yorkshire council has started imposing fines in a bid to clamp down on the illegal use of domestic log burners.

Wakefield Council introduced new measures in December to allow environmental health officers to issue fixed penalty notices to stop “excessive smoke emissions”.

It came after a rise in complaints about chimney smoke from solid fuel appliances.

Jack Hemingway, cabinet member for environment and climate change, confirmed that the first penalty issued under the new powers saw a stove owner fined £175.

Mr Hemingway said: “Ultimately the powers will only be used following a verbal discussion and a written warning.

“There is also a full appeals process, but we need to have stronger powers for repeat offenders who destroy our communities.

“The new notices will help stop this nuisance behavior that emits harmful particles and improve air quality and public health in the district.”

Figures show the council investigated 216 complaints about domestic chimneys between 2019 and 2022.

Under the new powers, which are part of the Environment Act 2021, fines start at £175 and go up to £300.

Continuing the offense may result in prosecution.

The measures are also intended to make it easier to prosecute sellers of banned solid fuels and suppliers of appliances that are not approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The report said: “Although the negative health effects of smoke emissions are generally accepted, wood burners are perceived as an environmentally friendly method of heating.

“Many people don’t realize that using a log burner can triple the level of harmful indoor pollution, and an open fire can produce 10 times more pollution.

“Awareness of exposure occurring in the home is currently very low.”