CouncilPollution control - Introduction
Clean air act approval
The Clean Air Act, 1993, introduced a wide range of new regulations which control smoke emissions, the height of chimneys, and the content and composition of motor fuels.
When specifying chimney heights, local authorities need to take into account a number of relevant factors:
Under section 14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the local authority, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:
- burn pulverised fuel
- burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter or
- burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter
An application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.
The local authority must consider an application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between the council and the applicant that a longer period is allowed. If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification can be given.
Proscribed processes
Some industrial techniques have potential to cause pollution. Since 1990 many of these processes have required an authorisation from the Environment Agency to operate and they are also inspected annually. Use this link for more information on proscribed processes.
For further information contact:
Environmental Health
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7 364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6831
