Our partner, Historic England, has published new advice on adapting historic buildings for energy and carbon efficiency.
The world faces a climate emergency and buildings are a major consideration in addressing this challenge. Historic England has produced this Advice Note to provide clarity and support consistent decision-making for proposals to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings, whilst conserving their significance and ensuring they remain viable places to live in the future. It reflects current national planning policy.
Primarily aimed at local planning authorities, heritage consultants and those involved in the planning process, the Historic England Advice Note has now been published and is available to access. Whilst this Advice Note is largely for a specialist audience, it will also be useful to building owners and occupiers.
This Advice Note provides:
• Advice on advice on what permissions, such as listed building consent, are needed for some of the common changes required to decarbonise and improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings
• Advice to assist local planning authorities – and other parties involved in the planning process – in determining proposals to enable positive climate action. Some typical building adaptations in response to climate change impacts are also included
• Signposting to other relevant information, advice, and guidance.
In a Financial Times article, interviewed by Leyla Boulton, our Working Group 3 Co-Chair, Cara Jenkinson, said: “Right now a builder looking to retrofit two similar homes in neighbouring council areas could face very different planning decisions. With a shortage of builders skilled to undertake retrofit work, this presents yet another barrier. This guidance from Historic England should help councils make more consistent decisions.”
You can find their Advice Note here.
