Air pollution

Smoke nuisance

Sources of smoke nuisance dealt with include:

  • chimneys
  • domestic bonfires
  • commercial bonfires / Building Sites, including commercial restoration works

There are no smoke control areas in Southend-on-Sea. We advise you to reduce the likelihood of causing nuisance and to reduce maintenance and running costs that you follow the DEFRA guidance.

We reduce smoke emissions under the Clean Air Act 1993 through controlling the chimney height of furnaces in the City.

There are no specific rules when bonfires may be lit, however we are able to deal with smoke from bonfires where it is considered to be a statutory nuisance. We do not recommend that anyone has a bonfire and further guidance is provided. However there are stricter rules for burning commercial and trade waste

There is an out of hours service available most Friday and Saturday evenings between 5pm and 1am on 01702 215000.

We will not intervene where anonymous complaints are made. This is to protect staff and prevent what might otherwise be unfounded or malicious allegations. You should be reassured that the identity of any person contacting the service will be kept confidential in accordance with Data Protection legislation.

Contact Environmental Health

Telephone: 01702 215005

Go to top