Ministers pause ban on wood burning stoves

Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan has written to council bosses across Scotland confirming that the restriction have been temporarily dropped.

His latter said: “The review is now concluding and we will implement the outcome of this by the end of December 2024.”

Conservative deputy rural affairs spokesman Jamie Halcro Johnston described the move as a “long overdue climbdown” and welcomed the decision to halt what he called a “deeply flawed ban”.

“Sustained pressure from the Scottish Conservatives as well as from our rural and island communities has now forced ministers into a humiliating U-turn,” he said.

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

“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.”