The Scottish Government will review “rigid” regulations for wood-burning stoves

Climate Action Minister Gillian Martin yesterday confirmed that there would be a review of the New Build Heat Standard regulations with a view to adapting them to “address inflexibility issues” raised by communities.

According to the regulations that came into force on April 1, heating systems using direct emissions, including gas or oil boilers, cannot be used in new houses and buildings.

The regulations aimed to ensure that heat pumps and district heating systems were used instead, but rural communities have called for a rethink given their propensity to use bioenergy sources such as wood and wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and hearths.

Opponents of the bill claimed they did not have access to a main gas source and relied on wood burners during power outages.

The new regulations did not affect homes that already had such devices installed.

However, Ms Martin said she had “listened to the concerns raised” and would try to adapt the regulations.

She said: “The outcome of this review will ensure resilience to electricity and heat cuts, respect for the cultures and traditions of rural communities and sustainable systems.

“I want to make sure that climate-friendly alternatives to direct emissions are promoted appropriately across Scotland, without unintended consequences in terms of fuel poverty and sustainability, particularly in rural communities.”

Scottish Conservative spokeswoman for rural areas Rachael Hamilton said the ban should be completely repealed.

She said: “Wood-burning stoves are often the only source of heat in emergencies or during extreme weather, and this ban completely ignored the realities of rural life.

“SNP ministers must now go further and completely reverse this ban as a matter of urgency to provide full certainty to people in rural Scotland.”