There is no ban on wood burning stoves in new-build properties, the Scottish Government has said after "confusing" new rules stoked fears in Argyll and Bute.
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 woodburning 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 woodburning 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.”
In Topical Questions in the Scottish Parliament on April 16, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston questioned the Scottish Government on its woodstoves ban in new builds.
The Scottish Conservative MSP, who is Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, as well as Convener of Holyrood’s Cross-Party Group on Islands, said: "The Minister [Patrick Harvie MSP] claimed that woodburning stoves could be allowed for emergency heating, but the updated technical guidance states clearly that in smaller buildings, including dwellings, there will be little justification for emergency heating.
"It also states that any emergency heating must only be used in emergencies, should be connected to the normal heating system, and requires an electrical back-up power.
"So where previously a wood burner would have been enough to provide heat and cooking facilities when power is lost, now homeowners who want a wood burner must connect it to their central heating system and connect it to an emergency power source.
"What is more remarkable is that the most practical electrical back-up in most rural cases will likely be from a diesel generator. Hardly a green solution, but now made a necessity by a Green minister.
"Given the technical and cost implications of this, and while the Scottish Government will desperately claim otherwise, this is a ban on woodstoves in all but name.
"It is a ban which entirely ignores the essential role woodstoves play in rural life, will leave households in rural Scotland more vulnerable in bad weather, and will exacerbate cases of fuel poverty which are already high in my region.
"It also only widens further the urban-rural divide in Scotland, and highlights the complete disregard Scottish ministers in Edinburgh have for those who live in rural Scotland and our island communities".
Mr Halcro Johnston 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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