New plans have been published today to remove barriers and drive
energy efficiency in historic homes, cutting energy bills for
households across the country, while also ensuring that the
important historical and beautiful features of these homes are
properly protected.
The Government wants to see the energy efficiency of historic
homes improved but without the blight of ugly or inappropriate
retrofit damaging these properties.
The Government has published its review into the challenges
households face when retrofitting in conservation areas and
listed buildings.
Currently, owners of home built before 1919 face paying on
average £428 a year more on energy bills if their home is not
energy efficient*, while the review found planning was a major
issue faced by households, with frustration about the time it
takes to get planning permission.
The review has set out a series of commitments to drive energy
efficiency and low carbon heating improvements to listed
buildings and buildings in conservation areas across England, as
part of the Government’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
Minister for Housing and Communities said:
“Our historic homes are the jewel in the crown of this
country’s heritage and must be protected.
“This review will ensure they are preserved for future
generations to enjoy, while also improve the lives of those who
live in them by reducing their energy costs, supporting us in our
shared goal to reach Net Zero by 2050.”
Minister for Arts & Heritage of Whitley Bay
said:
"People who own and live in historic homes are their custodians,
and want to take responsible action to protect them for the
benefit of generations to come.
“That isn't always as straightforward as it should be, so this
review has looked at how we can make it easier, while continuing
to protect our historic environment."
Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance said:
“We’ve already made huge progress in improving energy efficiency
- with almost half of all homes in England at an EPC rating of C
or above, up from 14% in 2010.
“Today’s measures will now help to keep historic homes warm for
less, while protecting our heritage as we progress towards our
net zero goal.”
Commitments set out in the review to drive energy
efficiency include:
- A consultation on new national development management policy
specially for historic buildings, ensuring greater certainty and
consistency in decisions.
- Consulting on the greater use of Listed Building Consent
Orders to support building improvements, removing the need to
submit individual listed building consent applications.
- Developing clearer guidance for historic homeowners on
improving energy efficiency and supporting the construction
industry to better deliver retrofitting services.
- Consulting on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates to
ensure they are accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England,
said:
“Historic England welcomes this Energy Efficiency Review
and the positive actions it highlights. Historic buildings can
and must accommodate change if they are to play a crucial role in
helping the UK to transition to Net Zero.
“This review demonstrates that heritage needn’t be a barrier and
identifies opportunities to unlock the potential of historic
buildings in England to contribute to meeting our Net Zero
target.”
The measures outlined in ‘Adapting Historic Homes for Energy
Efficiency: A Review of the Barriers’, will make life easier for
those who own and live in historic homes, while ensuring the
country’s heritage is protected.
The review has been developed in partnership with the Department
for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero and the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport, supported by Historic England.
In the British Energy Security Strategy, published April 2022,
the Government committed to undertake a review of the practical
planning barriers households can face when installing energy
efficiency measures such as improved glazing in conservation
areas and listed buildings.
Evidence collected during the review and feedback from
stakeholders highlighted that barriers were wider than just the
planning system. The scope of the review was therefore, broadened
to examine a wider set of challenges to retrofitting historic
homes, and to identify where further work is needed.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
* According to the English Housing Survey 2021, homes built
before 1919 could save on average £428 per year on energy costs
if they are improved to EPC C, through insulation or other energy
saving measures.
- ‘Adapting Historic Homes for Energy Efficiency: A Review of
the Barriers’ is available to view here on GOV.UK
