Newcastle Set To Improve Air Quality

The city plans to become a Smoke Control Area (SCA) to improve air quality and protect people’s health

Newcastle, in the north east of England, has announced plans that will see the entire city become a Smoke Control Area (SCA) to improve air quality and protect people’s health. SCAs are introduced to reduce the amount of harmful smoke being released from chimneys in domestic or commercial buildings. In these areas, people are only permitted to burn authorised fuels or use an appliance approved by the government such as some boilers and stoves.

The aim is to stop people burning high-polluting fuels which harm the environment and can have a more serious impact on people’s health. The Newcastle City Council said it's important the SCA covers the entire city, which will help improve air quality, protect residents and clean up the environment.

First introduced in 1958, there are currently 72 SCAs in place in Newcastle which cover the majority of the city. Now, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet has approved plans to replace the existing SCAs with a single order which covers the entire city. The plans are now subject to approval by the secretary of state.

“We are committed to creating cleaner, greener neighbourhoods and improving air quality is an important part of that,” said councillor Irim Ali, cabinet member for a dynamic city at Newcastle City Council. “We know that poor air quality can have a damaging effect on people’s health as it increases the risk of conditions such as respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer, as well as severely affecting those who are already ill.”

She added, “It has been over 60 years since SCAs were first introduced in Newcastle and since then the city has changed a lot. It has undergone boundary changes, the population has grown and many areas have been redeveloped. It’s important we now have a SCA that covers the entire city, which will help improve air quality, protect our residents and clean up the environment.”

The UK government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) lists approved appliances – including boilers and stoves – on its website. Fuel such as kiln-dried wood exhibiting the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo can be used in these appliances. Residents who cannot use an approved appliance must use authorised ‘smokeless’ fuels such as Homefire, Ecoal50 or Phurnacite.

If the city council witnesses any smoke being released from a chimney, it can issue a £300 fine. Anyone found selling or buying unauthorised fuel for use without an approved appliance in a SCA can face fines of up to £1,000.