Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
You couldn’t make this up: Haringey Council says it needs a policy to enforce the law
Genuinely astonishing.
There is, however, some positive news. Haringey Council now appears much more focused on tackling the pollution from grill restaurants on Green Lanes, including discussion of possible enforcement action and the need to meet clean-air standards.
Other councils, including Camden and Manchester, are already taking action under the Clean Air Act 1993 to set standards for commercial kitchen filtration—measures designed to protect public health rather than allow pollution to be discharged into residents’ homes.
But here’s the jaw-dropping part:
Haringey says it cannot yet take enforcement action against restaurants producing black smoke from their chimneys because it does not yet have a policy in place.
So, what happens next?
We need a clear plan—and we need it quickly:
1. Adopt an existing policy.
Look at the approaches already developed by Camden or Manchester and adapt them for Haringey rather than starting from scratch.
2. Complete the internal review at pace.
Make this a priority across the relevant council departments and get the necessary work completed urgently.
3. Secure political backing.
Clean air and protection of residents’ health should be something councillors can unite around, regardless of party.
4. Start enforcement.
Once the necessary framework is in place, use it. Residents have been asking for action for too long.
This is about more than policy documents and council processes. It is about the air people breathe in their own homes—and the long-term health of our children and our communities.
At Monday’s LCSP meeting, residents repeatedly called for enforcement.
The message from the community is clear: we need action, not more delay.
Haringey Council—now is the time to show that protecting public health is a priority.
Get the policy in place. Start enforcement. Clean up our air.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric Easter
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Does this not count as the policy?
https://haringey.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-03/air-quality-act...
pp26-27 reference restaurant smoke.
If they are saying they don't have an enforcement policy, they could simply add an enforcement section to this, have a very quick consultation and implement. They don't have to reinvent the wheel. A competent policy officer could turn it around in a month including the consultation phase and legal checks.
Some points to note:
- it should be disputed that they need a policy to enforce an existing requirement
- Haringey Council has a record of ignoring the results of consultation (remember the Black Boy Lane palava). So they can just get on and do stuff if the political will is there. Why not use that power for good for a change?
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter
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ERIC, your link is to the Haringey Council Air Quality Action Plan 2025 - 2030.
This should be relevant and important. Unfortunately, without political will, Haringey action plans are normally not worth the paper they're printed on. The evidence for this is legion.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson
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Camden have a smoke control order that covers the borough from Covent Garden to Hampstead and Kings Cross to Kilburn. If Haringey want to implement one quickly they can just copy this.
https://www.camden.gov.uk/documents/d/guest/camden-smoke-control-or...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton
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Michael had you thought of offering your helpful expertise to the Green Haringey Council Cabinet Councillor?.
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That was once my job at another local authority Alan and I am now very happily retired.
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IN the hierarchy of council "officers", a Director of Public Health occupies a relatively high position.
I expect Dr Maimaris is aware of WHO standards on air pollution and would hope that he sees his role partly as preventative (of illness) with local meaning and having practical effect.
Since July 2026 and the new, £1,000,000 layer of 5 (five) Corporate Directors, the Director of Public Health now reports up to a Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health. It is not clear that the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, has a medical qualification.
In respect of potential action against the businesses along Green Lanes that burn charcoal without adequate filtration, has the Director of Public Health been nobbled or told to "stay in your lane" ?
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Admin for testingPermalink Reply by Hugh -
Well done for keeping at it, Alice.
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Hear, hear!
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Alice, Could you please point me in the direction of actual Council document or documents where this statement(s) are set out.
It has never occurred to me that the Laws and Regulations applying to safe cooking meats for public sale and consumption would vary from Camden to Haringey. Nor from one part of England to another.
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