News / Air pollution
New policy to clamp down on log burners is a ‘bit of a joke’
City Hall chiefs have admitted that people using log burners in Bristol are unlikely to be fined as the new policy is a “bit of a joke”.
Bristol City Council has been given new powers to issue £300 fines but does not have the funding to enforce the new stricter rules.
Burning wood emits harmful pollution known as fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which can cause serious health problems.
is needed now More than ever
Cabinet members approved new powers to issue fines to anyone caught using non-compliant stoves or fuels, but admitted the policy has “no teeth”.
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Read more: New fines of up to £300 for using log burners
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The frank admission raises doubts that anybody will actually be caught or fined under the new rules, which are intended to reduce pollution levels and improve air quality.
The Labour cabinet signed off the new policy during a meeting on Tuesday, September 5.
Councillor Kye Dudd, cabinet member for climate, said: “From a public health point of view, there’s no safe level of particulate matter. If you’re concerned about health then the advice is don’t burn wood at home.
“But if you’re going to do that, you have the legal right to do it, but you have to do it within the regulations. So make sure you’ve got a Defra-compliant stove, and make sure you’re using compliant fuels as well.”
Councils in England were given new powers by the government about a year ago. In theory, council staff can now issue written warnings and then fines to anybody caught burning wood or using a stove that isn’t on a list of government-approved fuels and appliances.
But Bristol City Council has not been given any extra funding to enforce the new powers, and will instead rely on neighbours to complain if they see a lot of smoke coming from nearby chimneys. Councillors also questioned how they were supposed to act on complaints.
Councillor Ellie King said: “It’s a real shame that yet again we’ve got new policy instructions from national government, but not the resources to implement them.
“How are we supposed to do that with the incredible cuts that we’ve had to local government? It’s kind of a bit of a joke, really.”
Councillor Nicola Beech added: “The policy hasn’t really got any teeth because of the lack of funding. This is a real public health issue.
“As we see the cost of living crisis hit more, we know people are using inappropriate means to heat and power their homes because they can’t afford any alternative.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- New data shows links between wood burners and toxic air
- Damning report claims Bristol failing on climate action progress
- Is Bristol’s Clean Air Zone far reaching enough to tackle air pollution?
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