SNP U-turn as ministers lift ban on wood burning stoves

The plans had banned the use of direct emission heating (DEH) system in any house where the building warrant was applied for after April 1.

It effectively meant new homes and conversions were not allowed to use gas or oil boilers, or any form of bioenergy where electricity is generated from organic matter such as wood.

Instead, homeowners were expected to use what are known as zero DEH systems such as heat pumps, solar thermal storage systems or electric storage heaters.

But following a review of the standards, wood burning stoves will now be permitted in new homes from January 1 2025.

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However the prohibition on mains gas and oil boilers as a main heating system in new buildings will remain in place.

Alasdair Allan, acting minister for climate action, said: “The New Build Heat Standard is crucial to help reduce emissions from new buildings, preventing the need for retrofit in the future and ensuring a cleaner and greener Scotland.

“Heat from our homes and buildings makes up almost a fifth of Scotland’s carbon emissions so we must tackle the most polluting forms of domestic heating to reach net zero.

“We have listened to concerns from rural and island communities about resilience in times of bad weather or power outages, as well as the wider use of bioenergy and peat for other reasons. These changes address these concerns whilst retaining the spirit of the original legislation, which aims to eradicate polluting gas and oil boilers from new homes and buildings.

“I would like to thank all of those who submitted evidence and views, particularly those from rural and island communities – their input has been vital in delivering his positive outcome.”

Prior to being appointed Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes was one of the strongest critics against the ban because of the impact it would have on rural communities.

While the legislation came into force in April this year, by the end of May, the Scottish Government had commissioned a review of the legislation to address the concerns.

Luke Fraser, vice chair of the Scottish Islands Federation, said: “The Scottish Islands Federation is delighted that the points raised by our members and others, as part of the review of the New Build Heat Standard, have been taken into account.

"We believe there is a need to help sustain and support the resilience of households in rural and island communities through the use of wood burning stoves and burning of peat, and the changes to the NBHS announced today have taken this on board.

“While we are in support of the need for climate action, progress must be made in tandem with developing and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our communities, not at their expense.

"This change is a positive step in that direction.”

The Scottish Conservatives have responded to the government's reversal, saying it is  a "victory for common sense" over the "ill-thought-out plan from the SNP."

Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow minister for agriculture, connectivity and the islands said: “A ban on woodburning stoves would have had a devastating effect on our rural and island communities.

“SNP ministers who are completely detached from the realities facing these areas failed to recognise their importance, especially in periods of extreme weather.

“I applaud people living and working in rural and island Scotland for making their voices heard and forcing the SNP into confirming this humiliating U-turn at long last. 

"This uncertainty could and should have been avoided if the SNP had done the right thing and never proposed a ban in the first place. Ministers should apologise for getting this so wrong and rule out any such policy being proposed again.”