Ministers pause ban on wood burning stoves

The Scottish government has temporarily dropped restrictions on the installation of wood burning stoves in newbuild homes or conversions.

The Scottish Conservatives, who campaigned against the regulations, described the move as a "humiliating U-turn".

Regulations known as the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) came into effect at the start of April. They said new homes and buildings were not allowed to use direct-emission heating systems including gas or oil boilers.

But the rules were put under review in May after concern a ban on wood burners would negatively impact on people living in rural areas.

The new rules were designed to help reduce air pollution and tackle climate change by encouraging builders to install clean heating systems such as heat pumps or heat networks.

But some opponents of the legislation had said they did not have access to the main gas supply and relied on log burners for heat during power cuts.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes previously said she had concerns about the ban, citing the impact it could have on older people in her Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency.

A ministerial direction means that wood burners and other biofuel heating systems including peat can still be installed pending the outcome of the review.

Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan has written to council bosses across Scotland confirming that the restriction have been temporarily dropped.

His latter said: "The review is now concluding and we will implement the outcome of this by the end of December 2024."

Conservative deputy rural affairs spokesman Jamie Halcro Johnston described the move as a "long overdue climbdown" and welcomed the decision to halt what he called a "deeply flawed ban".

"Sustained pressure from the Scottish Conservatives as well as from our rural and island communities has now forced ministers into a humiliating U-turn," he said.

"The consequences of imposing such a ban on installing wood burning stoves in new homes would have been devastating for those that rely on them, especially when there are periods of extreme weather.

"However, with the lifting of this ban still only temporary, the Scottish Conservatives will continue to urge the SNP to do the right thing and make it permanent."

The Stove Industry Association (SIA) has welcomed the announcement, calling it a “common sense and progressive step”.

The SIA had called for a review of the NBHS, arguing that modern wood burning stoves are a lower carbon-emitting heating option to direct electric heating.

SIA chairman Andy Hill said: “We commend the Scottish government for taking this common sense and progressive step.

"This direction not only promotes the use of renewable energy sources but also provides homeowners with more options for efficient and sustainable heating.”

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has meanwhile repeated its opposition to wood burning to be phased out in urban areas because of pollutants given off.

It wants wood burning stoves to be phased out in urban areas, and support given to rural residents to transition to cleaner heat sources.