THE Scottish Government has confirmed that wood-burning stoves, bioenergy and peat heating will be permitted in new homes.
We told earlier this year how regulations had come into force “banning the use of polluting heating systems such as oil and gas boilers, and bioenergy – including wood-burning stoves” in new homes.
However, the move was met with backlash from rural communities with now deputy first minister Kate Forbes (below) among those to call on the Government to clarify the regulations.
Ministers had introduced a temporary direction in September 2024 which reverted the regulations to the pre-April 2024 situation, pending the conclusion of a review.
The Scottish Government has now confirmed an amendment to regulations following the review was made on Friday.
It permits the installation of bioenergy and peat main heating systems – and any type of secondary heating systems – in new buildings from January 1 2025.
However, it still maintains the prohibition on mains gas and oil boilers as a main heating system.
Alasdair Allan, acting Minister for Climate Action said: “The New Build Heat Standard is crucial to help reduce emissions from new buildings, preventing the need for retrofit in the future and ensuring a cleaner and greener Scotland.
“Heat from our homes and buildings make up almost a fifth of Scotland’s carbon emissions so we must tackle the most polluting forms of domestic heating to reach net zero.
“We have listened to concerns from rural and island communities about resilience in times of bad weather or power outages, as well as the wider use of bioenergy and peat for other reasons.
“These changes address these concerns whilst retaining the spirit of the original legislation, which aims to eradicate polluting gas and oil boilers from new homes and buildings.
“I would like to thank all of those who submitted evidence and views, particularly those from rural and island communities – their input has been vital in delivering his positive outcome.”
Chair of the Scottish Islands Federation Luke Fraser said he was “delighted” that the concerns raised by the group had been taken into account.
“We believe there is a need to help sustain and support the resilience of households in rural and island communities through the use of wood burning stoves and burning of peat, and the changes to the NBHS announced today have taken this on board,” Fraser said.
“While we are in support of the need for climate action, progress must be made in tandem with developing and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our communities, not at their expense.
“This change is a positive step in that direction.”
