Purpose

Under the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) regime, Local
Authorities are responsible for monitoring air quality and contributing to
national targets, including the reduction of Particulate Matter (PM2.5). In
Cambridge, solid fuel burning is the largest single source of PM2.5 emissions,
accounting for 40% of the total. According to the Public Health Outcomes
Framework, 51 deaths in Cambridge in 2023 could be attributed to particulate
air pollution (latest available data).

 

The primary legislation governing emissions from solid fuel
burning is the Clean Air Act 1993, which includes provisions for Smoke Control
Areas (SCAs). Within an SCA, smoke emissions are prohibited unless smokeless
fuel is used, or the appliance is approved by DEFRA. The existing SCAs in
Cambridge, established in the 1960s and 70s, cover only a small portion of the
city and exclude the majority of residential
properties, limiting their effectiveness to control emissions.

 

To assess the potential impacts and benefits of expanding
the SCA to cover the entire city, Cambridge City Council commissioned
independent experts, Air Quality Consultants Ltd. Their report evaluated the
environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts of such an expansion,
including the implications of including or excluding permanently moored
vessels.

 

The report concluded that expanding the SCA citywide would
result in a net societal benefit, primarily from health improvements due to
reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. These benefits were found
to outweigh the associated costs, which include the financial burden on
homeowners and vessel owners to switch fuels or upgrade appliances, as well as
implementation and enforcement costs for the Council. The socio-economic
analysis highlighted that few residents rely solely on solid fuel for heating
and hot water. Most use wood-burning stoves for leisure or to supplement other
heating methods. However, evidence suggests this is not the case for residents
of moored vessels, who are more dependent on solid fuel, may have lower incomes
and be more vulnerable.

 

Following agreement at the Environment & Community
Scrutiny Committee on 26th September 2024, a public consultation was held from
27 January to 20 April 2025. A total of 776 responses were received, with
approximately 55% in favour of expanding the SCA and 40% opposed. Supporters
cited health and environmental benefits, while opposition focused on concerns
about impacts on low-income households, personal freedom, scepticism about air
pollution levels, and resource prioritisation by the council. In parallel,
targeted engagement was conducted with the boating community. The findings of
the consultation and wider targeted engagement supported the findings of the
report, that with the exception of the boating
community most residents are not solely dependent on solid fuel and that for
most burning solid fuel is a personal choice.

 

Based on the findings of the independent report, public
consultation, and targeted engagement, the recommendation is to revoke the
existing SCAs and establish a single, citywide SCA. However, permanently moored
vessels should be excluded from the expansion at this time due to the
disproportionate impact on this group. The Council will continue to engage with
the boating community to explore viable alternatives and seek funding to
support a transition to more sustainable heating solutions.

Content

Cabinet resolved to approve revoking the existing Smoke
Control Areas (SCAs) and implementing a single, city-wide SCA, excluding
permanent residential moored vessels.