Cambridge’s New Smoke Control Area: What It Means for Your Fire

Cambridge City Council approved a city-wide Smoke Control Area on 24th June 2025, and we know this has raised concerns for many residents about whether they can continue using their fires and stoves.

As local chimney professionals who’ve been serving Cambridge since 1980, we’ve helped hundreds of residents navigate these regulations in the existing Smoke Control Areas. The good news is that most people can continue using their fires and stoves with adjustments to fuel types or operating practices.

However, there is one important exception: if you have a non-DEFRA approved wood-burning stove that cannot be converted with a retrofit kit, you will need to either replace it with a DEFRA-approved stove, convert back to an open fireplace, or stop using it altogether.

For everyone else, there are new rules about what you can burn and how you use your appliance, but you can keep enjoying your fire. Here’s what the expansion really means for your home.

The Bottom Line: Most People Can Keep Using Their Fire

Despite what you might have heard, Cambridge’s new Smoke Control Area doesn’t ban fires or stoves for most residents. Instead, it introduces consistent rules across the entire city about:

• Which fuels you can burn in your fireplace or stove
• What types of appliances are permitted
• How to operate your fire to minimise smoke emissions

The goal isn’t to stop people heating their homes – it’s to reduce the smoke emissions that currently account for around 40% of Cambridge’s fine particulate matter pollution.

What’s Actually Changing?

Currently, only small sections of Cambridge city centre have Smoke Control Area rules. The approved expansion will cover the entire city boundary – all 14 wards from Abbey to West Chesterton.

Current coverage: Three small areas established in the 1960s-70s

New coverage: Complete city-wide coverage (excluding permanently moored vessels on the River Cam)

Timeline: Approximately 6 months from approval (June 2025) to implementation (January 2026)

The rules themselves aren’t new – they’re the same regulations that have applied in parts of Cambridge for decades. What’s changing is that they’ll now apply consistently across the entire city.

Quick Summary: What You Can Do

The rules depend on what type of fire or stove you have:

Open Fireplaces

• Approved smokeless fuels only (anthracite, manufactured solid fuels marked for smoke control areas)
• Small amounts of dry kindling permitted to start fires
• No wood burning except kindling to get fires started

Gas Fires

• No restrictions – continue using as normal
• Gas is naturally clean-burning and exempt from regulations

DEFRA-Approved Stoves

• Seasoned wood AND smokeless fuels both permitted
• Wood must be under 20% moisture content
• Most modern stoves fall into this category

Non-DEFRA Stoves

• Multi-fuel stoves: Can continue with smokeless fuels only
• Wood-burning stoves: Cannot burn smokeless fuels due to their design – will need conversion kit (if available) or replacement to continue operating
• Important: Not all wood-burning stoves can be converted, and some may need to be permanently retired

No Immediate Action Required

Here’s the important part: you don’t need to do anything right now. You can continue using your fires and stoves exactly as you have been until the new area becomes law in approximately 6 months (January 2026).

However, this transition period is a good opportunity to:

• Find out if your stove is DEFRA-approved
• Start sourcing approved smokeless fuels
• Book a chimney sweep to ensure your system is working efficiently
• Plan any changes you might need to make

What’s NOT Covered

These regulations only apply to internal chimneys connected to your home’s heating system. You can continue using:

• Garden fire pits and chimineas
• Outdoor pizza ovens and BBQs
• Garden bonfires (subject to existing nuisance laws)
• External stoves powering hot tubs or outdoor spaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to rip out my fireplace?

 No. Open fireplaces can continue operating with approved smokeless fuels.

Are wood-burning stoves being banned?

Not exactly, but the situation depends on your specific stove. DEFRA-approved stoves can continue burning seasoned wood. Non-DEFRA multi-fuel stoves can switch to smokeless fuels. However, non-DEFRA wood-burning stoves cannot burn smokeless fuels due to their design – these will need conversion kits (if available for your model) or replacement to continue operating.

What if I can’t afford to make changes?

The impact varies significantly by stove type. Many situations require no capital expenditure – just switching fuel types. However, some non-DEFRA wood-burning stoves may need replacement if conversion kits aren’t available for their specific model. Cambridge City Council has committed to an education-first approach with support for residents facing genuine difficulties.

How will this be enforced?

The council’s approach prioritises education and guidance over penalties. Enforcement action is only considered as a last resort, with civil penalties rather than criminal prosecution.

Why This Change is Happening

Solid fuel burning currently produces about 40% of Cambridge’s PM2.5 fine particulate emissions, which affect air quality and public health. The city-wide expansion aims to:

• Create consistent air quality standards across Cambridge
• Reduce emissions that particularly affect children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory conditions
• Align with national clean air objectives

The expansion follows extensive public consultation between January and April 2025, with approximately 55% of the 776 respondents supporting the proposal.

Planning Ahead

While there’s no rush to make immediate changes, the expected January 2026 implementation gives you around three months to plan. Consider:

1. Identifying your stove type and approval status – we cover this in detail in our upcoming articles
2. Testing approved smokeless fuels if you currently burn wood or house coal
3. Scheduling annual chimney maintenance to ensure optimal performance
4. Researching your options if you have a non-DEFRA approved stove

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Getting Reliable Information

As this process develops, Cambridge City Council will release more detailed guidance. For now, the best sources of information are:

• Cambridge City Council: cambridge.gov.uk/smoke-pollution
• DEFRA databases: For checking stove and fuel approval status
• Local professionals: For practical advice about your specific situation

At Ablewight Chimney Services, we’ve been helping Cambridge residents navigate Smoke Control Area requirements since the original areas were established. Whether you need chimney sweeping, stove compliance advice, or recommendations for approved fuels and installers, we’re here to support you through this transition.

The key message is simple: with the right information and planning, you can continue enjoying your fire while contributing to cleaner air for all Cambridge residents. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be publishing detailed guides covering every aspect of compliance, from checking DEFRA approval status to choosing the best smokeless fuels for your needs.

Expert Chimney Services for Clean, Compliant Burning

Getting the most from your chimney while meeting UK emission standards requires professional expertise. As authors of the City & Guilds Chimney Sweeping Qualification and certified Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps, Ablewight Chimney Services combines industry-leading knowledge with practical experience.

Our comprehensive chimney services ensure optimal performance, legal compliance, and safety:

• Professional chimney sweeping – Annual cleaning and maintenance
• CCTV chimney surveys – Advanced inspection technology
• Stove servicing – Complete maintenance and performance optimisation
• Bird nest removal – Wildlife-compliant clearance
• Bee nest removal – Safe clearance
• Tar and creosote removal – Specialist cleaning for heavy deposits
• Compliance certification – Insurance-valid documentation
• Expert advice – Personalised solutions for your heating system

Why Choose Ablewight:

• HETAS Approved for professional standards
• Trading Standards Approved for consumer protection
• Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps certified
• £5 million public liability insurance
• No-mess guarantee on all work

Get Professional Chimney Care Today:

• 01223 627012
• hello@ablewight.co.uk

Service Areas: Cambridge • Ely • Newmarket • Royston • Saffron Walden • St Ives • Huntingdon • St Neots • Bishop’s Stortford • All surrounding villages within 25 miles

Don’t compromise on safety, performance, or compliance. Contact Ablewight Chimney Services today for professional expertise you can trust.