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The Government's National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) represents a comprehensive approach to maintaining and improving the quality of ambient air in the United Kingdom.

Outlined in the strategy are the air quality objectives for pollutants the Government feels are of most concern at present and the dates it feels these targets should be met.

All local authorities are required to examine air quality in its boundary to identify any problems that they may have in relation to those pollutants.

Knowsley Council carried out the first review and assessment of air quality in 1999 and 2000. This showed that all air quality objectives would be met by the due dates and that we would not need to declare any air quality management areas.

Further reviews were undertaken in 2003 and 2005 and the same conclusions were reached. You can download the various review and assessment reports from the attachments box at the bottom of this page.

Clean Air Act 1993

Section 1 and 2 prohibit the emission of dark or black smoke from chimneys and dark smoke from land (i.e. demolition site or industrial premisies), subject to certain exemptions. The maximum fine for offences under these sections is £20,000.

The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height of a chimney. In section 14, unless the chimney height has been approved by the local authority, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• Burn pulverised fuel
• Burn at a rate of 45.4kg or more an hour any other solid matter
• Burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter.

The majority of houses in the Knowsley borough are within smoke control areas and under section 18 it is an offence for smoke to be emitted from chimneys unless this is produced by burning an authorised fuel. For further information on air pollution and control contact us using the details below.

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