SMDC Smoke Control Survey
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Smoke Control Area consultation
What is this consultation about?
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council are considering changing the Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) across the district.
What is a Smoke Control Area?
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, Local Authorities can designate SCAs. In these areas, it is an offence:
- To emit substantial smoke from a chimney
- To buy or sell unauthorised fuel for use in a smoke control area, unless it is to be used in an exempt appliance.
Unauthorised fuel is any fuel that is not listed on Defra’s Authorised/Certified Fuels list. Wood is an example of an unauthorised fuel – if you live in an SCA, you can only burn wood in an exempt appliance.
An exempt appliance is any stove that has been approved by Defra for use in smoke control areas, following emissions tests. Find out if you have an exempt appliance by checking the list on Defra’s website.
About this survey…
This survey has been created to ensure that you are well versed on the effects of burning and have the opportunity to input your personal opinion before we consider making any changes to SCAs. It is open to anyone who lives, works, studies, or visits the area.
Your views will help shape decisions about whether a smoke control area is suitable for your community.
For further information on Smoke Control Areas and the health impacts of burning, please see the information booklet on the Air Quality page of the Council website.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at Moorlands House – Leek, Blythe Bridge library, Cheadle library, Werrington library and Biddulph library.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Smoke Control Area Public Consultation – Fill in form
This survey will close on Thursday 13th August 2026.
After the consultation period…
We will review all responses and use them to recommend any proposed changes. Once finalised, there shall be a further consultation about this.
This consultation is being ran by the Environmental Health team. Contact – EnvHealth@highpeak.gov.uk.