Is it illegal to burn coal on your fire at this time of year?

The Wickes store in Huddersfield is selling house coal, although it is illegal to use in smoke control areas. Inset: Clr Andrew Cooper

Clr Cooper said he advocated wood-burning stoves as long as they were approved by the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs and the right kinds of fuel were used.

He said he always used seasoned wood in his own system, which heats his home and provides hot water. Kiln dried or seasoned wood burns more efficiently and produces less smoke.

Clr Cooper is attempting to get a local by-law brought in to ban the sale of house coal.

A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “Smoke control areas are covered by the Clean Air Act 1993.

“It is not illegal to sell fuel under this act, however if the council received complaints in relation to the act we would investigate, and part of this investigation would include where all sources of fuel are purchased from.”

While it is not illegal to sell house coal, the Examiner has asked Wickes why it sells a product that is illegal to use.

A spokesperson for Wickes said: “As with all of our stores, our Huddersfield store serves a wide catchment area, including customers who live outside of a smoke control legislation zone.

“Therefore, to ensure that we cater to everybody’s needs and provide the best possible choice, we stock a variety of coal products.”