Burning at home or being affected by burning nearby? We want to hear from you!

05 January 2026

Residents across West Northants who burn solid fuels or feel the effects of neighbours' burning are invited to take part in a survey exploring the impact of domestic burning on air quality and health, as part of a two-year DEFRA-funded research project. 

The survey builds on last winter’s findings, which revealed that while solid fuel burning is common across West Northants, there is limited local awareness of the health risks associated with Particulate Matter (PM), the tiny airborne particles released when fuel is burnt. More than 750 residents took part in the first phase, helping the Council better understand local burning habits, fuel types, and the range of burners used. The new survey will help assess how awareness has changed and gather further insights into how and why people burn solid fuels at home. 

Solid fuel can include coffee logs, wood, briquettes and coal, and while for some residents it’s a lifestyle choice, for others it remains an essential way to heat and cook. With growing popularity and potential links to respiratory diseases, such as COPD and asthma, and cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke, the Council is working to understand how domestic burning may affect vulnerable adults and children, as well as the wider community. 

The project also aims to improve public awareness of the health and environmental risks associated with solid fuel burning, support behaviour change, and contribute to national targets to reduce PM levels. Indoor and outdoor monitors are being used across West Northants to track PM levels and support the research. 

We know that people use solid fuel burners for a range of reasons, including their location and access to sources of heat and for financial reasons. But we also know that locally there just isn’t enough information on this and more research is needed to help us understand their potential impacts on health and air quality.

This survey isn’t about telling people what they should and shouldn’t be doing to heat their homes, it’s about finding out first-hand from residents about their current use of solid fuels and how these fits in with their wider lifestyles. That insight will help us support people to make more informed decisions and reduce the risks for our most vulnerable communities.

Cllr Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services

The survey closes on Saturday 31 January 2026. For more information, please visit our Burning Question pages.