Are log burners set to be BANNED? New rules for UK homes revealed in full - 'Disproportionate!'

Log burners have been targeted as part of new home environmental rules, with an estimated 1.5 million homes set to face potential fines if they don't abide the new regulations.

The log burning stoves have become a helpful alternative in keeping warm throughout winter as the cost-of-living crisis has hit homes across the country.

The popularity of log burners has grown in recent years, with approximately 150,000 sold every year – despite the initial cost to install being high.

But under the government’s new Environmental Improvement Plan 2023, the devices would be designated as “Smoke Control Areas”, and as such need to emit 3 grams (g) of smoke per hour, down from the previous 5g, to help reduce air pollution.

Home owners have looked for alternatives for heating to keep their bills down
Andrew Matthews

Councils are set to be challenged to improve air quality more quickly and tackle key hotspots.

Home owners found to have breached these rules could face on-the-spot fines of up to £300 – and even face criminal prosecution if they defy the regulations.

In the plan, it says it will “continue to tackle domestic emissions by reducing the maximum emissions for domestic burning appliances in Smoke Control Areas and by promoting best practice in use of stoves and fireplaces.”

It adds: “To further reduce emissions, we will tighten the limits that new stoves in Smoke Control Areas must meet, reducing the limit from 5g of smoke per hour to a maximum of 3g.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) say they will “continue to develop a targeted communications campaign to promote best practice in use of wood stoves and fireplaces in using cleaner and more efficient fuels, and techniques to reduce exposure to pollutants”.

Defra argues items like log burners are one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter in the air, which can cause health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, strokes and asthma.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Therese Coffey wants to "avoid fingerpointing" over log burners
Kirsty O'Connor

The 262-page plan says there are currently no outright plans to ban log burners, with Environment Secretary Therese Coffey saying she wants to “educate” people on the problems the devices can cause, rather than “fingerpointing”.

The legislation states: “We are not considering a ban on domestic burning in England. The UK government recognises that some households are reliant on solid fuel burning as a primary source for heating, hot water and cooking, with this in mind government is not seeking to ban burning.

“A ban on domestic outdoor burning (bonfires, barbecues, firepits etc.) would also be considered disproportionate.”

Environmentalists have condemned the Government’s environment plan aimed at helping create a greener, cleaner country as a “road map to the cliff edge”.

The comment from Greenpeace comes as the Government sets out its environmental improvement plan for England. Friends of the Earth have described it as “just rehashed commitments”.

The scheme is built on a vision set out five years ago in the 25 Year Environment Plan, including new powers and duties under the Environment Act, Agriculture Act and Fisheries Act, to provide ways to restore nature and improve the environmental quality of the air, waters and land.

This was the central target agreed in the global deal for nature at the UN Nature Summit COP15 in December.