The Scottish government has temporarily dropped restrictions on the installation of wood burning stoves in newbuild homes or conversions.
On 19 September, Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan sent letters to the chief executives of all Scotland’s local authorities announcing that the ban had been lifted with immediate effect.
On April 1, 2024, new building regulations came into force in Scotland “banning the use of polluting heating systems such as oil and gas boilers, and bioenergy – including wood-burning stoves” in new homes, as the Scottish Government explained.
However, the rules were put under review in May after concern a ban on wood burners would negatively impact on people living in rural areas.
The new rules were designed to help reduce air pollution and tackle climate change by encouraging builders to install clean heating systems such as heat pumps or heat networks.
But some opponents of the legislation had said they did not have access to the main gas supply and relied on log burners for heat during power cuts.
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.
A ministerial direction means that wood burners and other biofuel heating systems including peat can still be installed pending the outcome of the review.
