Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is seeking urgent clarification from the Scottish Government
around the potential ban on wood-burning stoves.
The council raised alarm at the Scottish Government imposing an “urban style policy” upon island communities.
Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “The definitions within the amendments to the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 are confused and confusing.
“Comhairle officers have been seeking clarity around the regulation and we await that clarity from government.
“Wood burning stoves have long been considered to provide “low or zero carbon” heating,
so this change appears over-zealous and does not take into account island contexts.”
He highlighted: “This looks, once again, like an urban style policy being foisted onto island communities without proper consideration of island circumstances.
“The comhairle will continue to engage with government to make the case for island-proofing
and to ensure an approach that does not disadvantage islanders.”
Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, has also spoken out against the “ill-thought-out” policy
to ban wood-burning stoves in new-build properties.
He urged the Scottish Government to reverse its stance.
Mr MacNeil said: “This legislation won’t affect existing houses or existing stoves, however there is also the concern that it could be the thin edge and in future it could be extended to more properties.”
He added: “The Scottish Government haven’t thought about the effect this will have on rural and island communities and again it smacks of a party that thinks first for the big cities.
“This legislation will impact both homeowners and the local construction industry and should be changed.”
Labour has also slammed the new rules.
The party’s Western Isles candidate, Torcuil Crichton, said: “This is another example
of SNP/Green policy-making from the warmth of Edinburgh offices with complete ignorance
of cold comfort it will mean for people building or converting island homes.”
“We must have missed these regulations while we were all poring over the details of Highly Protected Marine Areas, another made in Edinburgh, dumped on the Hebrides policy which would have closed down the Western Isles fishing industry.”
Comhairle alarmed at ‘over-
15 April 2024