Reduce air pollution

Southwark is a designated Smoke Control Area (PDF, 957KB). This means that:

• you cannot cause smoke by burning coal, wood or oil in an open fireplace
• you can only burn smoke generating fuels in an approved stove or burner 
• you can only use authorised (smokeless) fuels in an open fireplace

Tiny particles in wood and coal smoke harm health. They cause asthma, heart attacks and strokes. Older, younger and unwell people are at greatest risk. More than half of harmful fine particles in London come from domestic wood and coal burning.

Get chimney height approval if you plan to emit dark or black smoke from a chimney. Without a licence, it is an offence to:

• burn pulverised fuel
• burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter
• burn at a rate equal to 368.4 kilowatts or more any liquid or gaseous matter

Report a smoke nuisance or smoky chimney by calling our 24/7 call centre on 020 7525 5777. You’ll be visited usually within 1 working hour by a duty officer. The service is available from:

• 7am Tues to 2.30am Weds
• 7am Weds to 2.30am Thurs
• 7am Thurs to 2.30am Fri
• 7am Fri to 2.30am Tues

If you cause a nuisance due to smoke or fumes, you could face a £5,000 fine or an unlimited fine if you are a business. Read about how we deal with complaints about smoke and fumes.