U-turn on ban on woodburning stoves in new homes is welcomed

Politicians in the Highlands have welcomed a U-turn on bans by the Scottish Government to ban new woodburners.

Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes had been one of the loudest critics of the proposal under the previous SNP government.

The ban proposed under the SNP-Greens coalition was to apply in new-build properties but created a public outcry.

Solid fuel and wood burning stoves are a popular back-up secondary heat source and can provide warmth during power cuts.

Ms Forbes said: “I am absolutely delighted that the review on wood burning stoves has concluded and there will be a reversal on the guidance that prohibited wood burning stoves in new builds.

“In other words, new builds can now have wood burning stoves as a heat source.

“This is brilliant news for the Highlands and Islands especially, an area which has a lot of homes with wood stoves already installed.

“It’s also brilliant news for businesses like Bonk, in Inverness, which supplies stoves.

“Lastly it’s good news for the construction industry which had well advanced plans for housing sites, some of which included stoves as a heat source.”

Scottish Conservative deputy rural affairs spokesperson Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, had also led parliamentary opposition to the ban.

He said: “This long overdue climbdown by the SNP on their deeply flawed ban is a welcome move.

“Sustained pressure from the Scottish Conservatives, including during my members debate in Parliament and strong opposition from across our rural and island communities, has now forced ministers into a humiliating U-turn.

“The consequences of imposing such a ban on installing woodburning stoves in new homes would have been devastating for those that rely on them, especially when there are periods of extreme weather.

“There was particular anger and concern from communities across the Highlands and Islands at a ban which totally ignored the unique challenges those living in our region experience.

“It was policy made in Edinburgh with no consideration for rural or island life.

“However, with the lifting of this ban still only temporary, the Scottish Conservatives will continue to urge the SNP to do the right thing and make it permanent.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.