The whole of Wakefield District Council district is a Smoke Control Area (Smokeless zone) and under the Clean Air Act 1993 it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney in our area.

If you are intending to install a furnace or biomass boiler you need to ensure that the emission from the chimney will not cause air pollution. You should make your supplier aware that you live in a smoke control area and the appliance must have an exemption certificate from Defra or have retrofit technology to remove any smoke.

Installing a Furnace

Council approval is required to install a furnace (except domestic) and grit and dust arrestment plant where appropriate.

Chimney height approval

It is also necessary to obtain approval for the height of the chimney to be used in conjunction with the furnace. This is separate from any planning approval that may be required and is to ensure that there is adequate dispersal of emissions.

The Act makes it an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuels
• burn any solid matter at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour, or
• burn any liquid or gaseous matter at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more,
  unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the Council and any conditions attached to the approval adhered to.

In order to apply for a chimney height approval you must complete an application form and submit this to the Councils Environmental Health Communities Team - ep@wakefield.gov.uk.

The application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out. See “Downloads” for a copy of the form.

The Council will give a written decision on the application within 28 days of its receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between us and the applicant that a longer period is allowed.