Air quality describes the cleanliness of the air we breathe. Poor quality air can have an effect on our health.
There are two air quality pollutants of concern within Trafford: nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution.
Nitrogen dioxide is a major pollutant in towns and cities, while particulate pollution is caused by domestic wood and coal fires and stoves, vehicle exhaust fumes, brake and tyre dust, industry and construction.
Read about plans to reduce this pollution and improve air quality in the district.
Smoke control areas
The entire Trafford borough is a smoke control area.
This means it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building (including a domestic chimney), furnace, or any fixed boiler.
It's also an offence to get unauthorised fuel for use within a smoke control area unless it's used in an exempt appliance.
Solid fuel burners
If you want to install a solid fuel burner in your home, you must ensure smoke from your chimney does not cause a nuisance to any neighbours.
Guidance for solid fuel burners.
Report a bonfire or smoking chimney
You can report a bonfire or smoking chimney online.
Other emissions
You can report other emissions to the Council. Emissions must be from premises and must materially affect the use or enjoyment of other premises.
Typical complaints include:
- smoke and ash from garden bonfires
- dust from building and demolition activity
- cooking smells from restaurants
We cannot legally deal with complaints of smells from domestic premises.
Chimney heights for furnaces
The Clean Air Act 1993 regulates various aspects of air pollution, including chimney heights for furnaces.
You must get approval from the local authority for the chimney height of any new furnace. To start the process, contact Environmental Health.
This applies to furnaces that burn:
- Pulverised fuel
- Over 45.4 kg/hour of solid matter
- Over 366.4 kW/hour of liquid or gaseous matter
Your application must include enough information for the local authority to perform the necessary calculations.
The local authority must provide a written decision within 28 days. If they don't, the application is automatically approved. Failure to follow these rules or any conditions of the approval is a legal offense.