That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the importance of wood-burning stoves and other forms of direct emission heating in homes in rural, island and remote communities across Scotland; notes that wood-burning stoves are often the only source of heat and hot water, and method of cooking, when power is lost or when bad weather leaves households or communities isolated; further notes that the Non-domestic Technical Handbook: April 2024 Edition states that “in smaller buildings there will be little justification to install emergency heating”; considers that any emergency heating can only be used in emergencies and must be connected to both the normal heating system and an emergency power source, and that the cost and technical implications of this have led to the Scottish Government’s Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 being described as “an effective ban” on wood-burning stoves in new-build properties; believes that this will put vulnerable households in more remote areas of Scotland at greater risk when cut off or when power is lost, as well as exacerbate already high levels of fuel poverty, and recognises reports of the concern and anger that this has caused in rural and island communities across Scotland, especially in the Highlands and Islands.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett (Registered interest)
, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Fergus Ewing, Russell Findlay, Kate Forbes (Registered interest)
, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Pam Gosal, Christine Grahame, Rhoda Grant, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Liam McArthur, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Colin Smyth, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Elena Whitham, Brian Whittle, Beatrice Wishart