Chimney heights

Clean Air Act 1993 - Chimney Height Approvals

When a new boiler or other heating plant is to be installed it is necessary to obtain approval for the height of the chimney to be used in conjunction with the appliance.  The Clean Air Act 1993 makes it an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

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

unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the Council and any conditions attached to approval have been complied with.

To apply for a chimney height approval an application form must be completed and submitted to the Council's Environment and Health Department.  The application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.  To receive an application form please contact the Environment and Health Department on 01273 471600 or by email at ehealth@lewes.gov.uk.

The Council must give a written decision on the application within 28 days of its receipt, unless it is agreed in writing with the applicant that a longer period is allowed. This is sometimes necessary to ensure that all necessary information is received by the Council.

The chimney height is deemed approved if the Council does not respond to the application within the 28 day period.