It’s a common misconception that there are great swathes of the country where you’re ‘not allowed’ to have a wood-burning stove.
Many UK households do live in Smoke Control Areas, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t have a stove.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) certifies exempt appliances that can be used in Smoke Control Areas. These are stoves that have been tested to ensure they meet certain criteria in relation to the soot and particles that are given off. After all, Smoke Control Areas were originally setup to stop pollution in areas that were suffering from poor air quality. Continue reading