In June 2025, Cambridge City Council approved the citywide Smoke Control Area expansion. The initial guidance from the council suggested a six-month timeline for implementation, pointing to January 2026 as a likely start date.
In October 2025, the council updated their guidance, stating that “the process will take about a year.” This represents a significant change from the earlier six-month estimate.
Here’s what we know about the legal process, where things currently stand, and what the timeline looks like based on available information.
What the Council Said: June vs October
June 2025 Cabinet decision: The Cabinet approved the citywide SCA expansion on 24 June 2025. The council’s documentation at that time indicated the implementation process would take approximately six months. This suggested January 2026 as a potential implementation date.
October 2025 update: On their smoke control area changes page, the council stated: “The process of revoking a smoke control area is guided by Defra. Their preferred approach is to first revoke existing areas, then declare a new one. There must be a six-month gap between issuing and implementing any revocation or creation order, so the process will take about a year.”
The earlier six-month estimate may have assumed certain legal steps could run in parallel. The October update makes clear that the process involves sequential stages with mandatory waiting periods between them.
The Two-Stage Legal Process
The council must follow DEFRA’s preferred approach, which involves two distinct stages with mandatory waiting periods.
Stage 1: Revoking the Three Existing SCAs
Cambridge has three separate Smoke Control Areas created in the 1960s and 1970s under individual legal orders. DEFRA’s guidance is to revoke these existing orders before creating the new citywide order.
The revocation process:
- 20 October 2025: Consultation period opened
- 22 & 29 October 2025: Public notices published in London Gazette and Cambridge Independent
- 19 December 2025: Consultation period closes
- After 19 December: DEFRA will review any objections submitted
Once DEFRA approves the revocation, the council can issue the revocation order. However, there is a mandatory six-month gap between issuing the order and it taking effect.
Stage 2: Declaring the New Citywide SCA
After the existing SCAs are revoked, the council will declare the new citywide order. This involves:
- Two-week advertising period
- Six-week objection period
- Declaration of the new Smoke Control Area order
- Another mandatory six-month gap before implementation
The Six-Month Waiting Periods
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, any smoke control area order (whether creating or revoking) must have at least six months between being issued and taking effect. This is a legal requirement.
The council must:
- Issue revocation order → 6-month wait
- Issue new SCA order → 6-month wait
These periods cannot be shortened. The council has stated they aim to coordinate timing so the existing SCAs remain in force until the new citywide area takes effect.
Current Status (December 2025)
Completed:
- Cabinet approval (24 June 2025)
- Public notice requirements
- Revocation consultation period (closes 19 December 2025)
Happening now:
- Final days of the revocation consultation (closes 5pm, 19 December 2025)
- Anyone affected by the revocation can still submit objections to DEFRA
Not yet started:
- DEFRA review of consultation responses
- Revocation order issuance
- First 6-month waiting period
- New SCA declaration process
- Second 6-month waiting period
Still in effect: The three existing Smoke Control Areas remain in force. No changes to current regulations have occurred.
Timeline Estimates
The council stated in October 2025 that “the process will take about a year” from that point. This would suggest implementation around October 2026.
However, based on the mandatory legal requirements, here’s what must happen:
| Stage | Status |
| Cabinet Approval (24 June 2025) | ✅ Complete |
| Revocation Consultation (20 Oct – 19 Dec 2025) | 🔄 Closing Soon |
| DEFRA Review & Decision | ⏳ Pending |
| Revocation Order Issued | ⏳ Pending |
| 6-Month Mandatory Wait (revocation) | ⏳ Pending |
| New SCA Declaration Process | ⏳ Pending |
| 6-Month Mandatory Wait (new order) | ⏳ Pending |
| Implementation | ⏳ Pending |
What the legal requirements tell us:
From where we are now (December 2025), there are two mandatory 6-month waiting periods that must occur sequentially:
- Six months after the revocation order is issued
- Six months after the new SCA order is issued
Between these two waiting periods, there must be time for DEFRA’s review (starting after 19 December) and the new SCA declaration process (which includes advertising and an objection period).
Our estimate: Based on these sequential requirements and the council’s October 2025 statement, we estimate implementation will occur sometime in 2027. The council has not provided a confirmed implementation date.
The Revocation Consultation (Closing 19 December 2025)
The consultation on revoking the three existing SCAs is open until 5pm on Friday, 19 December 2025.
Who can object: Anyone affected by the revocation of the existing Smoke Control Areas.
How to object:
- Email: air.quality@defra.gov.uk
- Post: Air Quality and Industrial Emissions, Defra, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF
- Mark objections: “Objection to the revocation of smoke control orders in Cambridge”
Public notices about this consultation appeared in the Cambridge Independent and London Gazette on 22 and 29 October 2025.
What This Means for Residents
If You Live Outside the Existing Three SCAs:
No smoke control regulations currently apply. You can continue using your stove or fireplace as you currently do. This will not change until the new citywide order takes effect.
If You Live Inside an Existing SCA:
Current rules remain in force. Continue following existing requirements (approved fuels in open fires, or DEFRA-approved stoves for wood burning).
For All Cambridge Residents:
There is currently no compliance deadline. Based on the legal requirements and timeline information available, implementation appears to be well over a year away.
What You Can Do During This Period
Use this time to prepare:
Identify your stove’s approval status: Check if your stove is DEFRA-approved by looking for markings on the appliance, checking your manual, or searching the DEFRA database (defra.gov.uk/appliances). For more information check out our article on how to identify your stove’s DEFRA approval status.
Research fuel suppliers: If you’ll need to switch to approved smokeless fuels, identify local suppliers and their product ranges.
Schedule annual maintenance: Regular chimney sweeping is essential regardless of regulation changes. Book your annual sweep and discuss your specific situation.
Assess your options: Understand what changes (if any) you’ll need to make. Options include: continuing with a DEFRA-approved stove, switching fuels, installing a conversion kit (if available for your model), or replacing your stove.
Budget accordingly: If changes are needed, having advance notice allows for proper financial planning without pressure.
What We Know and Don’t Know
What we know:
- The legal process requires two sequential stages
- Each stage includes a mandatory 6-month waiting period
- The revocation consultation closes 19 December 2025
- DEFRA will then review the revocation and any objections
- The council aims to avoid any gap in SCA coverage
- Implementation will not occur in early 2026 as originally suggested
What we don’t know:
- Exact implementation date
- How long DEFRA’s review will take
- Precise timing of the new SCA declaration
- Whether there will be any further delays in the process
What won’t change:
- The requirements themselves (approved fuels, DEFRA stoves)
- The enforcement approach (education-focused)
- The exemption for permanently moored vessels
- The fact that outdoor fires/BBQs are not covered
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Cambridge’s Smoke Control Area take effect?
Based on the mandatory legal requirements and the council’s October 2025 statement, we estimate implementation will occur sometime in 2027. The council has not provided a confirmed implementation date.
Do I need to do anything right now about the Cambridge Smoke Control Area?
There is currently no compliance deadline. If you live outside the existing three SCAs, no smoke control regulations currently apply. If you live inside an existing SCA, current rules remain in force. Implementation appears to be well over a year away, giving you ample time to prepare.
Why has the Cambridge Smoke Control Area timeline changed?
The council’s October 2025 update clarified that the process involves sequential stages with mandatory waiting periods. The legal process requires two mandatory 6-month waiting periods that must occur one after the other, plus time for DEFRA review and the new SCA declaration process.
What are the mandatory waiting periods for smoke control areas?
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, there must be at least six months between issuing a smoke control area order and it taking effect. Cambridge must issue a revocation order (6-month wait), then issue a new citywide SCA order (another 6-month wait). These periods cannot be shortened.
Will the requirements change from what was originally announced?
No. The requirements themselves remain the same: approved smokeless fuels in open fires, or DEFRA-approved stoves for wood burning. The enforcement approach (education-focused), the exemption for permanently moored vessels, and the fact that outdoor fires/BBQs are not covered all remain unchanged.
What is the revocation consultation about?
The consultation (open until 19 December 2025) is specifically about revoking the three existing Smoke Control Areas in Cambridge. DEFRA’s preferred approach is to revoke the old orders first, then create the new citywide order. Anyone affected by the revocation can submit objections to DEFRA.
Staying Informed
The council updates their information at: cambridge.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-changes
We will post updates on our blog when the council announces:
- DEFRA’s decision on the revocation
- The revocation order being issued
- The new SCA declaration consultation
- The confirmed implementation date
How We Can Help
When you have your annual chimney sweep, we can:
- Identify your stove make and model
- Discuss your fuel options
- Explain your compliance options
- Provide recommendations based on your specific appliance and chimney
We’ve been serving Cambridge since 1980 and have extensive experience with local property types and chimney configurations.
The timeline is significantly longer than initially indicated, but this provides ample time to prepare without rushing decisions or incurring unnecessary costs.
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