Highland MSP calls on SNP to drop wood-burner ban

The importance of wood-burning stoves to homes in rural and islands communities will be debated in the Scottish Parliament next week.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has put forward a motion highlighting the concern and anger in rural communities, especially the Highlands and Islands, over what appears to be “an effective ban” on wood-burning stoves in new-build properties.

He joins other MSPs in raising concerns over the implications on wood-burning stoves arising from the Scottish Government’s Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023.

Urgent clarity needed over controversial stove fire ban, warns Highland MSP

Highland MSP seeks urgent clarification over woodburning stove ban in new-build properties

Following the Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy portfolio questions in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Mr Johnston said: “Next Wednesday, the Scottish Parliament will debate my motion which recognises the importance of wood-burning stoves to homes in rural and island communities across Scotland.

“They are often the only source of heat and hot water when power is lost, and the SNP’s ban could leave vulnerable households and communities isolated and at greater risk, as well as worsening already high levels of fuel poverty.

“It has cross-party support, including – for the moment, at least – from the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, so the Scottish Government cannot stick its head in the sand and just ignore the pleas of communities in the Highlands and Islands who want to see this ban reversed.

“Gillian Martin, the minister responsible, knows full well that the new regulations effectively ban the use of woodburning stoves in all new homes, something which could have a devastating impact on local households, especially in bad weather.

“That is why I have called again on the Scottish Government to reverse this damaging ban, one which has seen opposition from even from some of their own more independent thinking MSPs, and which has proved just out of touch SNP ministers are with rural and islands communities”.

The new regulations which broadly ban burning stoves from new-build homes came into force at the beginning of April.

There are some exemptions including if the heating system is being installed as an emergency heating system or for the purpose of frost protection.

The new rules have no impact on properties that already have the appliances.

The Scottish Government says heating homes contributes to about a fifth of Scotland’s carbon emissions so tackling the climate emergency requires the issue to be addressed.

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