Scottish government to review wood burning stove restrictions

The Scottish government will review a new law that effectively bans wood burning stoves in new build homes.

The policy was designed to help reduce air pollution and tackle climate change, but rural communities had called for a rethink.

Gillian Martin, the minister for climate action, told Holyrood she would adapt the New Build Heat Standard regulations to suit the differing needs of urban and rural areas.

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.

The Conservatives described the announcement as a “screeching u-turn” from the government.

The rules had aimed to ensure that heat pumps and heat networks were used instead of oil and gas boilers, or bioenergy sources such as wood and log burning stoves, fire places and firepits.

Protestors against the legislation had said they didn’t have access to the main gas supply and relied on log burners for heat during power cuts.

Homes that already had the appliances in place were not affected by the new legislation, which took effect from 1 April.