Historical and listed buildings are set to become more energy efficient.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced that a range of planning rules are to be reviewed. The review will help drive energy efficiency in historic and listed homes. This will help to cut energy bills and ensure that the important historical features of these homes are properly protected.
Heat pumps and solar panels for listed buildings
Currently, homes that were built before 1919 pay on average £428 a year on energy bills. That’s a staggering 5.9 million historical buildings in the UK with poor energy efficiency. For the UK to progress towards Net Zero plans, historic properties can and should be part of the solution the government states. The findings and review from DLUHC, acknowledge issues faced by these households and the time it takes to get planning permission. The review will help to set out commitments that allow listed buildings, and buildings in conservation areas, to implement energy efficient upgrades and low carbon heating upgrades. These upgrades are to include solar panels, heat pumps and double glazing for listed buildings.
The review found planning was a major issue faced by households. A key frustration was the time it takes to get planning permission.
Energy efficiency improvements for historical buildings
The DLUHC 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 plans to reach Net Zero by 2050.
The government wants to see the energy efficiency of historic homes in England improved whilst maintaining the historical aspects of these properties.
Commitments set out in the review include:
- A consultation on new national development management policy especially for historic buildings
- Consulting on the greater use of Listed Building Consent Orders to support building improvements
- Clearer guidance for historic homeowners on improving energy efficiency
- Reforms to Energy Performance Certificates to ensure they are accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
