FOI release

Smoke from domestic fires (non smoke control areas)

Case reference FOI2025/00800

Received 1 September 2025

Published 15 September 2025

Request

Question 1: Do you record every complaint you get from residents about domestic burning? Question 2: Please state how many complaints your local authority has received about smoke from domestic fires from 1st Sept 2024 to 31st August 2025 inclusive? Question 3: Please state the number of actions taken by your local authority, in the following categories, from 1st Sept 2024 to 31st August 2025 inclusive: a) Warning or guidance letters b) Inspections c) Penalty notices d) Prosecutions Question 4: Please provide a copy of any guidance issued internally to council officers regarding domestic burning? Question 5: Please provide a copy of any reports or guidance produced by your council relating to the local implementation of the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards)(England) Regulations 2020 from 1 May 2021.

Response

Question 1: Do you record every complaint you get from residents about domestic burning? Yes Question 2: Please state how many complaints your local authority has received about smoke from domestic fires from 1st Sept 2024 to 31st August 2025 inclusive? 13 Chimney & Fumes and 54 Bonfire Complaints. Question 3: Please state the number of actions taken by your local authority, in the following categories, from 1st Sept 2024 to 31st August 2025 inclusive:  All Bonfire cases are sent a standard letter and Bonfire leaflet. See Attached. 1 = Community Protection Warning Issued for Bonfires. 9 = Diary sheets sent, but not returned so unable to prove any nuisance. 3 = Given Advice. 1 = Outstanding. a) Warning or guidance letters b) Inspections c) Penalty notices d) Prosecutions Question 4: Please provide a copy of any guidance issued internally to council officers regarding domestic burning? Environmental Protection do not have any written guidance specific to TWBC on domestic burning (other than the bonfire leaflet). We are a partner with other Kent Authorities and there is some information on the Kent Air website that we share - FAQ - KentAir Question 5: Please provide a copy of any reports or guidance produced by your council relating to the local implementation of the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards)(England) Regulations 2020 from 1 May 2021.  Environmental Protection do not have any reports or guidance produced by TWBC relating to the local implementation of the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards)(England) Regulations.

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.