Expanding Smoke Control Areas in Brighton & Hove
We want your views on a proposal to replace the city’s 5 existing Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) with one single citywide SCA.
Everyone deserves clean air wherever they live in Brighton & Hove. Persistent smoke from chimneys worsens local air quality, especially in densely populated areas.
Our Air Quality Action Plan aims to reduce harmful emissions from buildings, including those caused by burning solid fuels like coal and wood.
What would change?
- The current smoke control orders would be revoked and replaced with one updated order covering the whole city.
- Smoke control rules would apply to all building chimneys in Brighton & Hove.
- Residents already in a smoke control area would remain covered under the new order.
Phases
Introduction and information
The Clean Air Act, updated by the Environment Act 2021, requires councils to take action to reduce smoke and harmful particles. That’s why we’re asking for your views on expanding the Smoke Control Area (SCA) across Brighton & Hove.
Air pollution from burning solid fuels can cause serious health problems, including:
- asthma
- heart disease
- stroke
- learning difficulties
Why this is important
Our city is densely populated: around 15,000 people per square mile and over 1,000 people per square mile live with asthma. Local data shows hospital admissions for asthma in children and young people are rising and Brighton & Hove has higher asthma rates than many other cities.
Key facts
- At least 95% of homes already have electric or gas central heating.
- In the city centre, this figure is almost 100%.
- Wood burning and open fires are not needed for heating in our urban area.
How this might affect you
In an SCA, households can only burn authorised fuels unless using a Defra-approved appliance.
Open fireplaces and older stoves often lack clear fuel guidance, increasing the risk of harmful smoke indoors and outdoors.
Heating alternatives
Modern electric heating systems, including heat pumps, are cleaner and safer than burning solid fuels.
Government and local subsidies may be available to help households switch.
Check support available for heat pumps and other energy efficiency measures in our Net Zero hub.
