Wakefield Council has for the first time issued a fine to stop ‘unreasonable and excessive smoke’ from a log burner.
The local authority in west Yorkshire said the £175 fine followed a ‘very long history’ of reports about smoke emissions from the property.
However, the person had previously been able to show that they owned the correct smokeless fuel.
But legislation in the Environment Act 2021, adopted by the local authority last December, makes excessive smoke alone an offence.
Wakefield said it received a fresh complaint after adopting the rule, and found smoke emissions ‘over and above what would be expected’.
A council spokesperson said: ‘The majority of residents want to be, and are, good neighbours.
‘Whether its smoke, noise or odours we are often able to help people resolve an issue so they can make sure they aren’t breaking any law or causing a problem.
‘However, if there is a proven complaint and those responsible aren’t willing to sort it out, we’ll take formal action.’
