Smoke Nuisance Complaints
Case reference FOI2025/00243
Received 27 March 2025
Published 11 April 2025
Request
Please could you provide the following data:
1. The number of complaints received about smoke nuisance in the last 10 years (please provide a year-by-year breakdown from 2015 to 2025.)
2. If recorded, the identified source of the smoke nuisance complaints (e.g., wood burners, bonfires, barbecues, grills, industrial sources, agricultural activities, or other specified sources).
3. Any available data on enforcement actions or resolutions taken in response to these complaints.
4. Whether your local authority has issued any public guidance, restrictions, or policy changes related to smoke nuisances in recent years.
5. Has the local authority received any complaints specifically citing health concerns (e.g., respiratory issues, aggravation of asthma, or other medical conditions) due to smoke nuisance? a. If so, what was the cause of the smoke nuisance noted? (e.g., wood burners, bonfires, barbecues, grills, industrial sources, agricultural activities, or other specified sources).
Response
Q1: Smoke complaints by year
|
Year |
BA1 Bonfires Domestic |
BA2 Bonfires - Industrial |
BA3 Domestic chimney smoke |
BA4 Industrial chimney smoke |
|
2015 |
36 |
14 |
9 |
0 |
|
2016 |
50 |
19 |
8 |
0 |
|
2017 |
63 |
29 |
5 |
2 |
|
2018 |
77 |
23 |
7 |
0 |
|
2019 |
56 |
27 |
16 |
0 |
|
2020 |
156 |
36 |
20 |
0 |
|
2021 |
78 |
22 |
14 |
3 |
|
2022 |
58 |
15 |
20 |
1 |
|
2023 |
69 |
10 |
15 |
0 |
|
2024 |
53 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
Q2. Information not held.
Q3. Over this period we have served 26 notices and 7 fixed penalties.
Q4. In recent years we have started to issue fixed penalty notices for burning controlled waste.
Q5. Complainants regularly cite health concerns when making complaints about air quality. As per response provided in regards Q2, the exact source of the smoke nuisance is not logged.
Documents
This is South Derbyshire District Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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