CouncilSmell & odour emissions nuisance
In accordance with the Environmental protection act 1990 (part 3), the council has a duty to investigate complaints about pollution, including smells and emissions nuisance. Smells and emissions nuisance can include smoke, fumes, gases, dust, steam and bad odours.
A complaint is justified if the emissions coming from a premises affect people’s health or affect the use or living conditions of another premises.
Typical complaints of this type are about smoke and ash from garden bonfires, smoking chimneys, dust from building and demolition sites and cooking smells from restaurants. Complaints about domestic smells are not covered by this legislation and so cannot be dealt with by the council.
If a complaint is justified, an Abatement or Penalty notice will be served to either the occupier or owner of the premises.
Failure to comply with an Abatement or Penalty notice and deal with the source of pollution is an offence and legal proceedings may result. If a person is found guilty of an offence of this type, the maximum fine is £5,000 for a domestic premises and £20,000 for a commercial premises.
For further information please contact:
Environmental Health
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6831
Email: environmentalhealth@towerhamlets.gov.uk
