By James Rodger

Copyright birminghammail

UK households have been warned they could face fines of up to £1,300 for using fireplaces from September. This autumn and winter, UK households are reminded that, if you live in a smoke control area, you cannot release smoke from a chimney. Indeed, under Labour Party government rules, you can only burn authorised fuel, unless you use a Defra-approved appliance. The UK government confirmed that households may be required to pay a penalty of up to £300 if their chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area. People can also be fined up to £1,000 if buying unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that is not approved by Defra. In a smoke control area, you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using a Defra approved appliance: anthracite or semi-anthracite or gas or low volatile steam coal. READ MORE Drivers in England face new midday to 8pm ban from September 21 Unauthorised fuels, such as wood, can only be burnt in exempt appliances such as some boilers, cookers and stoves under government rules. Households must only use the types of fuel that the manufacturer says can be used in the appliance, the government has also said. People can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens in smoke control areas if they wish to stay warm amid the growing prospect of frosty mornings and cold evenings in the UK. If the appliance uses a chimney on the roof of a building (for example, a summerhouse), you can only burn authorised fuel unless it’s an exempt appliance, the government also stipulates. English councils only issued 17 fines over six years, despite over 18,000 complaints from neighbours and local residents. The government has also now instructed local authorities and councils to consider using powers in the 2021 Environment Act to issue on-the-spot civil penalties.