Current and proposed area
There are currently multiple Smoke Control Areas covering different areas of York.
These cover 80% of York’s residential properties but only 14% of City of York Council’s entire area.
The areas were originally set up to protect local air quality following the first Clean Air Act introduced by the UK Government in 1956.
Current Smoke Control areas
Most areas within the outer ring road as well as all of Haxby and Wigginton are already covered by the Smoke Control Area
The current boundary does not include some areas inside the outer ring road such as areas of:
- Fulford
- Heslington
- Clifton Moor
- New Earswick
- Monks Cross
- or most areas and village locations outside the outer ring road including:
- Skelton
- Poppleton
- Earswick
- Strensall
- Stockton on the Forest
- Dunnington
- Copmanthorpe
- Bishopthorpe
Current Smoke Control areas map
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Proposed Smoke Control area
The council is proposing to revoke the existing Smoke Control Area Orders and replace them with a single Smoke Control Area Order to cover the whole of City of York Council’s area.
Houseboats are not covered by the existing Smoke Control Areas and are not proposed to be covered by the expanded area.
Proposed Smoke Control area map
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The proposed changes will:
- provide clarity for the public in terms of the rules for burning, which are currently different in different areas of York.
- ensure the council has a consistent approach to dealing with smoke emissions across the whole of York. This includes current residential areas and other areas earmarked for development.
- act as a deterrent to burning non-authorised fuels or using appliances / stoves that are not approved by DEFRA, which can make air quality worse.
- demonstrate City of York Council’s commitment to working towards national targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to provide cleaner air for all residents.
The proposal to expand the Smoke Control Area will complement the council’s other air quality improvement activities and emission reduction policies to help us reduce levels of particulate pollution that can affect health.
Actions to address solid fuel burning will also support the council’s carbon reduction programme.