There is no ban on wood burning stoves in new-build properties, the Scottish Government has said after “confusing” new rules stoked fears in across the Highlands and the Islands.
An MSP, MP and council sought urgent clarification from ministers and called for a u-turn of the “ill-thought out” policy that risked “plunging the most vulnerable into fuel poverty” .
Updated Building Standards released by the Scottish Government showed solid fuel and wood-burning stoves are no longer permitted in newbuild construction, warned the office of Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, last week.
“It was understood stoves were initially deemed to be permissible as a secondary heat source – for example as a back-up during power cuts – but social media reports suggest this, too, has now been outlawed,” it said. “The changes apply to building warrants for all new buildings submitted after April 1 2024.” Ms Forbes added: “This new guidance has left Highland householders amazed and bemused at the complete lack of understanding about energy use and heating systems in rural Scotland.
“Wood burning stoves can be 100 per cent net zero and sustainable. It is a local source of fuel for many, especially woodland crofters. Given the high level of fuel poverty in my constituency, as well as astronomical energy prices, an outright ban fails to recognise the everyday challenges of rural life.
“More than 75 per cent of responses to the 2022 consultation on heating said there would likely be unintended consequences from the government’s approach – with grid infrastructure/capacity and rurality cited as the top two concerns. It would appear these issues remain unresolved.
“Parts of my constituency had power cuts at the weekend with the high winds – and many homes depend solely on stoves for heat during such outages. Elderly residents, in particular, who are at great risk of fuel poverty and the health risks of cold housing, often prefer wood-burning stoves.
“Whilst this new rule applies only to new-builds, the ripple effects will likely be felt by considerably more as manufacturers and retailers could decide to scale back.
“New builds will be just as subject to the same risks of fuel poverty and unaffordable energy prices, with new build householders keen to use local, sustainable fuel - and in the Highlands it’s unlikely solar panels or heat pumps alone will meet that need.
“Meeting our net zero targets cannot come at the risk of plunging the most vulnerable into fuel poverty.”
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar also sought urgent clarification. Council leader Paul Steele said: “The definitions within the amendments to the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 are confused and confusing.
“Wood burning stoves have long been considered to provide ‘low or zero carbon’ heating, so this change appears over-zealous and does not take into account island contexts.
“This looks, once again, like an urban style policy being foisted onto island communities without proper consideration of island circumstances.”
Isles MP Angus MacNeil urged an immediate rethink on the “ill-thought-out policy”. “The Scottish Government haven’t thought about the effect this will have on rural and island communities and again it smacks of a party that thinks first for the big cities,” he said.
Mr Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, who is Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, as well as Convener of Holyrood’s Cross-Party Group on Islands, has now lodged a Scottish Parliament motion highlighting the vital role of wood-burning stoves in rural and island communities.
He is seeking cross-party support for his motion so it can be debated in Parliament, raising awareness of the potentially serious consequences of the ban.
“For those living in our rural and island communities, wood-burning stoves are not a luxury item, they are an emergency lifeline, providing vital heat, hot water and a means of cooking when the power goes out. In my own home in Orkney, we were once left without power for five days because of extreme weather, and the only source of heating and cooking we had was our wood-burning stove. I know many people across the Highlands and Islands will have found themselves in a similar situation.
“I hope my motion, which highlights the vital role wood-burning stoves and other direct emission heating methods play in our rural and island communities, will raise awareness of the potentially serious consequences of the SNP/Green government effective ban.
“I urge MSP colleagues from right across the Parliament – including from the governing parties – to recognise the urgency of this issue and to support my motion. It is vital ministers in Edinburgh are left in no doubt of the anger and concern their decision has caused in our rural and island communities”.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is no ban on wood burning stoves. The New Build Heat Standard applies only to new buildings applying for a building warrant from April 1 2024. Under the Standard, wood burning stoves can still be installed in new homes to provide emergency heating where required. This recognises the unique needs of Scotland’s rural communities.
“Proposals for the New Build Heat Standard were subject to full consultation in 2021 and 2022 and both consultations showed strong support.
“Heating our homes and buildings represents about a fifth of Scotland’s carbon emissions so tackling the climate emergency requires us to address these emissions.”
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