Smoke control areas

Important information for Apple device users

We are currently aware of an issue affecting access to the reporting portal on Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads. This may mean you are unable to submit a report online.
If you experience this issue, please email the details below to: public.protection@telford.gov.uk, and we will log the report on your behalf.

Please include:

• Your full name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Email address
• The location of the issue (full address or What3Words)
• A detailed description of the concern, including relevant dates and times
• Any supporting evidence (for example photographs or diary sheets)
• A screenshot of the error message you receive when trying to use the portal

To ensure we can accurately log and assess your report, all of the above information is required. If essential details are missing, we may need to contact you for further information before the report can be progressed.

Once logged, the team aims to make initial contact within five working days.

Please be assured that we are working with our third party system provider to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience.

What you can burn in smoke control areas

In a smoke control area you can only burn:

• anthracite
• semi-anthracite
• gas
• low volatile steam coals
• authorised fuels.

Visit the Defra website for information about authorised fuels

Visit the Defra website for information about authorised appliances

Barbecues and chimineas

You’re allowed barbecues and chimineas, but if your barbecue lets smoke out through a chimney of a building - like a summerhouse - it’s only allowed if it uses gas or electricity.

Bonfires

We do not operate any special restrictions regarding the lighting of garden bonfires, and whilst, parts of the district have been designated as smoke control areas, this does not apply to garden bonfires. 

You’re allowed garden bonfires in smoke control areas, but you need to follow the rules, visit the GOV.UK website to find the rules on garden bonfires.

Exempt appliances that can burn banned fuels

Some boilers, cookers and stoves are allowed to burn banned fuels, which include:

• wood
• coal
• wood chips and pellets.