In today's Topical Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston questioned the Scottish Government on its woodstoves ban in new builds.
The Scottish Conservative MSP, who is Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, as well as Convener of Holyrood’s Cross-Party Group on Islands, said:
"The Minister claimed that woodburning stoves could be allowed for emergency heating, but the updated technical guidance states clearly that in smaller buildings, including dwellings, there will be little justification for emergency heating.
"It also states that any emergency heating must only be used in emergencies, should be connected to the normal heating system, and requires an electrical back-up power.
"So where previously a wood burner would have been enough to provide heat and cooking facilities when power is lost, now homeowners who want a wood burner must connect it to their central heating system and connect it to an emergency power source.
"What is more remarkable is that the most practical electrical back-up in most rural cases will likely to be from a diesel generator. Hardly a green solution, but now made a necessity by a Green minister.
"Given the technical and cost implications of this, and while the Scottish Government will desperately claim otherwise, this is a ban on woodstoves in all but name.
"It is a ban which entirely ignores the essential role woodstoves play in rural life, will leave households in rural Scotland more vulnerable in bad weather, and will exacerbate cases of fuel poverty which are already high in my region.
"It also only widens further the urban-rural divide in Scotland, and highlights the complete disregard Scottish ministers in Edinburgh have for those who live in rural Scotland and our island communities".
ENDS
Notes to editor
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP asked Minister Patrick Harvie MSP:
"The updated Technical Handbook states that any emergency heating would 'normally be connected to the same means of heat distribution as the normal heating system'. And that 'a back-up source of electrical power would be required to enable the operation of associated auxiliary systems'. So can the Minister tell me what analysis the Scottish Government has done on the cost of installing all this and why, given the cost and the technical issues, it's not in practice a ban? And can he confirm whether the back-up source of electricity now required could include a diesel generator?"
The Minister replied that the Government has consulted widely and carried out impact assessments on the proposed measure and is confident that it will achieve its objectives. Flexibility will be maintained in situations where discretion is required or where certain building standards cannot be applied. The Minister made no attempt to answer the question he was asked about diesel generators.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP’s question can be accessed here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-april-16-2024?clip_start=14:24:36&clip_end=14:25:53
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