FAQs

• If approved, the changes will take effect six months after the decision date, likely in January 2027.

A SCA is an area where burning wood, coal and other smoky fuels are restricted to reduce air pollution. In an SCA you must:

• Use a Defra approved appliance with authorised fuel, or use ‘smokeless’ ‘Ready to Burn’ fuel.
• Maintain your appliance and flue.
• Avoid releasing visible smoke from a chimney or flue.
• Not buy or use unauthorised fuels.

• All of Islington is already a Smoke Control Area, except the waterways.
• The proposed amendment will include all waterways, including the Regent’s Canal.

• To improve air quality on and around the waterways.

• To allow for enforcement of existing rules.
• To protect the health of residents, boaters and visitors.

Exposure to smoke from solid fuel burning is linked to:

• Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory illnesses.
• Heart disease, stroke and hypertension.
• Increased risk of lung cancer.
• Childhood pneumonia and reduced lung development.
• Pregnancy impacts such as low birth weight.
• Associations with diabetes and neurological conditions.

• Up to £300 fine for emitting smoke from a chimney/flue.
• Up to £1,000 fine for buying or using unauthorised fuel.

• Residents on land: No change.
• Boaters: You may need to switch to authorised fuels or use a Defra‑approved appliance to heat your boat. This does not affect fuel used for propulsion.

• A stove approved for use in Smoke Control Areas because it burns specific fuels more cleanly than other stoves.
• A full list of Defra-approved appliances and fuels is available on the Defra website.

You can:

• Permanent mooring in Islington
• Moored in Islington on the day changes take effect
• No access to electricity
• No compliant stove currently installed
• Use smokeless ‘Ready to Burn’ fuel
• Regularly maintain and clean your stove and flue.

• Visit: Smoke and bonfires | Islington Council
• Visit: www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
• View copies of the Notice and the area covered in Lewis Carroll Library, South Library and Municipal Offices at 222 Upper Street, N1
• Contact: pollution@islington.gov.uk

• Online using the council reporting form here
• Call 020 7527 7272 (Anti‑social Behaviour Service)

Eco Zone Moorings on Regent’s Canal (since 2021) provide:

• Electric power points to reduce the need for engines, generators, and solid fuel burning.
• A cleaner, lower‑pollution environment developed with the Canal & River Trust (CRT).
• All visitor moorings in Islington are now pre‑bookable, and visitors must use smokeless fuel.