The Mayor of London is seeking new powers that could allow him to restrict the use of wood-burning stoves London-wide during high-pollution episodes, after national press reports last week revealed that Sir Sadiq Khan wants greater control over domestic burning in the city.
Fireplace Specialist Magazine confirmed the reports were correct and approached the Mayor’s office, which confirmed that Mr Khan is seeking extra powers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “We have made clear to Government that we would support a further consultation on additional powers which could be devolved to the Mayor and London boroughs to limit where burning can take place, and introduce time-limited area-specific bans for high pollution areas, for example during a high pollution alert.”
Crucially, City Hall stressed that the move is a bid for powers and a proposed consultation — not a ban. “While this could be with the introduction of zero-emission zones, we do not have any defined proposals as this would depend what powers, if any, were conferred by Defra,” the spokesperson added.
“Strengthening these requirements is particularly important for London. As a densely populated city with existing air quality pressures, it is uniquely vulnerable to pollution from wood-burning appliances, as emissions can accumulate in built-up areas and adversely affect a significant number of residents.”
HETAS, the body that approves solid fuel heating appliances and registers installers, said Defra had previously ruled out area-based bans but that it had contacted the department for clarification on whether its position had changed. It said it agreed with part of the Mayor’s request — beefing up powers to enforce smoke control areas and wet wood rules — but warned that restricting wood burners would be the “thin end of the wedge”.
Erica Malkin, executive director of the Stove Industry Association (SIA), said the industry fully recognises the importance of improving air quality. “However, the debate needs to recognise the significant difference between an open fire, an older stove and a modern Ecodesign-compliant appliance,” she said. “We need proportionate, evidence-based policy rather than measures that treat every appliance and every user in the same way.”
The move follows other air-quality measures under Mr Khan, including the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone across Greater London and the tripling of 20mph speed limits on TfL-controlled roads since 2021.
HETAS pointed to London’s own emissions inventory, which puts domestic wood burning at 16 per cent of the capital’s PM2.5 emissions in 2022. Air pollution remains one of the biggest environmental health challenges facing the capital, with nurses recently reporting patients dying in ‘suffocating’ hospital wards during extreme heat.
Wood-burning stoves London: what happens next
The industry groups say they will seek further engagement with Defra, while the debate over wood-burning stoves London-wide looks set to continue.
