More than 100 wood burning complaints made to BANES council

Campaigners in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) are warning children's health will suffer if more isn't done to stop wood burning and reduce air pollution.

Over the course of a year, 103 complaints were made to BANES council, but no fines were issued by the local authority.

Burning wood and other solid fuels can emit dangerous pollution inside and outside of the home and The Royal College of Paediatrics advises phasing out domestic wood burning in urban areas to protect children's health.

Campaign group Mums for Lungs are warning the Government’s air pollution laws are too weak, difficult to enforce and leaving families exposed to toxic smoke.

“Despite living in a so-called ‘smoke-free zone’, the smoke that pours out of chimneys in our area continues to make its way into our house regularly throughout autumn and winter," said mum of two Lily, from Bath.

"We cannot escape it, even if we try and block up gaps around doors and windows. Why should my children have to breathe this dangerous air?”

BANES council have since issued a statement reminding residents to check that fuels they use in open fires and stoves comply with laws that reduce the risk of air pollution from wood burning.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Sustainable B&NES, said:

“We know that many residents use indoor fires and wood burners, especially as the colder months approach.

"While we’re not telling people not to burn at all, it’s important that everyone is aware of how to do so safely and legally.

“Particulate matter can travel through the air over long distances and burning the right fuels helps protect air quality and our health across Bath and North East Somerset, as well as in the Smoke Control Area, and ensures compliance with the law.

"There is no proven safe level of air pollution and it is invisible, so the more we can collectively do to reduce emissions, the better.”

Mums for Lungs have released new statistics under the Freedom of Information Act, which show 15,195 complaints were made across England about harmful wood burning.

Despite this, only 24 fines were issued, meaning that residents would have to complain around 630 times before a single fine is imposed.

Jemima Hartshorn, founder of Mums for Lungs, said:

“The Government claims to have world-leading laws on air pollution, but they are meaningless if they are not enforced.

"Families across the country are suffering from neighbours’ burning, yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued.

"This is a public health failure hiding in plain sight and it is making us sick: people are being left to choke in silence.”