Many families in rural communities rely on solid fuel and the alliance called for assurance that wood burning stoves would not be banned under stricter emissions rules set out in the plan. He said: "In many rural areas many households depend on solid fuel stoves because we don't have access to the mains gas network. Wood-burning stoves are a vital source of heating for many rural people, with millions of homes across the countryside reliant upon them." According to London Wood-Burning Project, 26 per cent of households in rural communities burn wood or solid fuel, compared to 5.7 per cent in urban areas. Members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on any Government proposals to reduce emissions from wood burning stoves.