Use a woodburning stove in a Smokeless Zone / Smoke control area

Most of London and parts of Cambridge are within smoke control areas / smokeless zones. We have selected a large range of quality stoves which are approved for use in these areas and exempt from the local council restrictions.

DEFRA approved Morsø Badger	DEFRA approved Little Wenlock
DEFRA approved Stovax Stockton	DEFRA approved Stovax Riva 40
DEFRA approved Franco Belge	DEFRA approved Morso Ø4

The NEW 2010 list of appliances approved by DEFRA for use in Smokeless Zones is contained within the following government document; The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (England) Order 2010
The 2010 document was released in March and contains a mass of exciting and newly Exempted appliances. Look out for the inclusion of Stovax's Riva 40/55/66 inset fires and Barbas' Unilux-3 40. Opening up the possibilities of flush-fitting cassette fires to city centre customers

Approved Fuels and Exempt Appliances - What does that mean?

An 'Approved Fuel' is one that can be used in a smokeless zone without restriction. These fuels are unsurprisingly known as 'Smokeless Fuel' and refer to coal that does not release microscopic un-burnt particles during combustion. The rules were laid down in the Clean Air act to prevent smog.

Wood is NOT a Smokeless fuel, so cannot be burnt as freely as other approved solid fuels. Wood can be burnt in a Smokeless Zone on an Exempt Appliance. One which has been tested by DEFRA and made exempt form the Clean Air act restrictions.

DEFRA Exempt stoves are therefore the cleanest and most environmentally friendly woodburners. The DEFRA badge is a sign of carefully designed air systems and good engineering, not only a bolt on option for City centre stoves.

Do you really live in a Smokeless Zone?

Some neighbourhoods utter stories about smoke and council rules like they were Fairy Tales. In truth most of the Council officials involved with drawing up Smokeless Zones are now retired or expired. Try phoning your local environment department to clarify the situation. In many cases they wont really know.

The rules in central London and Cambridge are there to keep the air clean and not at all ambiguous, be aware that they are tightly enforced. So make sure you buy a DEFRA Exempt stove if you live in a true Smokeless Zone.

We can offer advice on choosing the correct stove for where you live. However if customers are in doubt, a phone call to their local council environment department is necessary. General information on your local authority rules can be obtained from this government sponsored web site; www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk.