Wood fires, proximity to other houses

[Zebra]

Please can anybody tell me whether there are any regulations about having a woodburner or other solid fuel fire, in respect of the height of one's chimney relative to other houses nearby?
As my house is small, low ceilinged, low eaves, surrounded by much bigger, higher more modern houses, my chimney is not very much higher than my neighbours' upstairs windows. Mine is detached, and the distance from my chimney to the nearest house is about 15 - 20m. It would be good to know whether I might have a problem before spending a lot of money!

 

[MdB]

Yes. Details here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf

(I'll let you read it as it is such an exciting read....)

 

[Zebra]

That was a good read! Well according to that I should be fine - you only have to be higher than adjacent buildings if they're less than 2300mm away. All the same, I hope my neighbours won't object to the smell!

 

[Me!]

Well, if you've got the old house, and they've got the new ones, they shouldn't have built them so close if they don't like the smell!

 

[Zebra]

Quite, but there hasn't been a wood fire here for at least 40 years, so within the time of the existing neighbours.... It was all gas and electric til I wanted to go back to the smelly old ways!!!

 

[AndrewRoberts]

There area number of houses in my area that have wood burning stoves, including my own, and the smell of wood smoke on the air on a cold winters evening is really quite pleasant. however, there's nowt as queer as folk so I suppose you can't guarantee a positive reaction.

 

[AMc]

I tend to have my windows closed when it's cold enough to light the woodburner - I can't guarantee your neighbours aren't extreme fresh air freaks or you don't like a nice toasty fire on a hot summer day but my guess is you'll be OK

On a related note I once read a thread (on GBF?) about someone trying to dissuade a neighbour from using old telegraph poles as fuel for his fire....

 

[Onetap]

Quite, but there hasn't been a wood fire here for at least 40 years, so within the time of the existing neighbours.... It was all gas and electric til I wanted to go back to the smelly old ways!!!

You may be in a smokeless zone, in which case you should legally only burn smokeless fuel or use an approved appliance to burn other fuels. You will probably find details on the local authorities website. If your neighbours object to your wood smoke, it would probably be those regulations they'd use to try to stop you.

 

[skier-hughes]

I'd be polite and enquire of my neighbours use of the window, if you haven't already noted whether it is ever open or not, this could turn nasty.

 

[robgil]

I would also say it may be legal but that doesnt make it right. I know how annoyed I would be if someone elses smoke was blowing in through my bedroom window. Smoke crossing 15 - 20 meters on a good breeze could easily make it through the window.