These are parts of the UK which have been designated by the Council to reduce smoke emissions from domestic fires. The designation makes it illegal to burn any un-authorised fuels and that an exempt appliances must be used (a fire, stove, boiler, cooker or heater). It also makes it an offence for solid fuel suppliers to deliver non-authorised fuels to any property within a smoke control area.
Councils were initially given the power to create smoke control areas under of The Clean Air Act 1956 and this power is still included in the most recent update of the Act.
Most appliances within smoke control area should already be exempt but if you are installing any new appliance (especially wood burning stoves) you will need to ensure that the appliance is exempt and that you only burn authorised fuels on it. The company supplying your new appliance should be able to advise you of the status of the appliance and the fuels you can burn on them.
Defra provide detailed information about smoke control, which includes up-to-date listings of authorised fuels and exempt appliances which can be used in a smoke control area, this information also appears on the Direct.Gov website (use the links below).