The whole of Camden is now a Smoke Control Area. If you moor in Camden permanently or temporarily and believe that your current heating system would make it difficult to comply with the Smoke Control Area rules, there may be a 70% grant available to upgrade your boat’s heating. Camden Council said on 24th February 2026:
“From November 2025 the Camden Smoke Control Area includes the waterways as well as buildings in Camden. This means that smoke must not be released from the chimney of any vessel while it is moored and that only authorised fuels may be used, unless you are using a Defra exempt appliance with its specified fuel. These are the same rules that already applied to buildings in Camden.
The Smoke Control Area rules are designed to protect everyone’s health by reducing exposure to air pollution.
If you moor in Camden permanently or temporarily and believe that your current heating system would make it difficult to comply with the Smoke Control Area rules, there may be help available for upgrading your vessel’s heating.
Camden Council has funding, provided by Defra, to cover up to 70% of the cost of heating upgrades, subject to approvals, if you have a right to moor permanently in Camden and there is no mains gas or electricity available at your mooring point.
The same assistance may be made available, on a case-by-case basis, for the heating system upgrade of vessels on a continuous cruising licence [sic] and visiting Camden.
Please contact AirQuality@camden.gov.uk with the subject line ‘Cleaner Heating Support’ and we can:
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- Find out if you are eligible for payment of 70% of the cost of improving or converting the heating on your vessel.
- Provide funding for the approved works.
- Help you to access other sources of help with heating and cost-of-living services in Camden.”
