A log burner row has erupted in Manchester. (Image: Getty)
A huge row over log burners has erupted in after hundreds of locals worried about potential health impacts complained to the council, yet no fines were issued.
Greater Manchester was flooded by more than 400 complaints from concerned residents.
Campaign group Mums for Lungs found that there had been 451 complaints over stoves between September 2023 and August last year, but no fines were issued.
The group found 213 complaints were sent to Council alone, while 50 were from Stockport and Salford, according to the
It comes after research suggested that heating sources can
:
There are strict log burner rules in place which can land owners an eye-watering £300 fine or even a criminal record if broken.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said it issued warning letters and tried to educate people and would only impose fines as a last resort.
However, freedom of information requests sent by the campaigners revealed that just seven guidance letters were sent out by council.
Mums for Lungs campaigner Liz Godfrey said: “It just shows the government is not giving the council the powers to do anything about this growing problem.”
Don’t miss… [REVEAL]
Bury Council’s leader Eamonn O’Brien, who is GMCA clean air lead, said: “Before we get to the point of issuing fines there are many, many steps before then to encourage people and notify them that they might be in breach of the local rules.
“We send letters to people but to go down a route of fining people and thinking that’s a good sign, I actually think it would be a bad sign, a sign of failure.”
Ecology survey firm Arbtech says an estimated 1.5M British homes have log burners, even though the government banned the sale of house coal and wet wood in 2021.
Arbtech advises: “In England, local authorities can issue fines starting at £175 for those who breach these regulations, with penalties reaching up to £300.
“Using unauthorised fuel in a non-Defra-exempt appliance could result in fines of up to £1,000.
“And for repeat offenders, cases taken to court could lead to penalties as high as £5,000.”
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “As the colder months set in, many people will turn to their log burners to keep warm and save money on energy bills, but it’s vital to understand the latest clean air regulations.
“Failing to meet these standards could lead to significant fines or even a criminal record, yet many log burner owners remain unaware of the potential risks.”