25 July 2024On 23 July, Historic England published new advice on balancing climate action with building adaptation following a period of public consultation.
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.
As historic buildings continue to change and evolve, they need to contribute to a greener future and be fit for purpose for the people who live in, experience and care for them. If done thoughtfully and carefully, changes to historic buildings can achieve the complementary goals of protecting our heritage and adapting to climate change. Keeping historic buildings in use, through sensitive repair, maintenance and adaptation, can help to reduce carbon emissions, reliance on fossil fuels, and energy costs.
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 here.
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 decarbonise and improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings 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.
Key questions for homeowners about listed buildings and homes in conservation areas are also answered in this Advice Note, including clear advice on insulation, boilers and heating systems, heat pumps, draft-proofing, replacing or adapting windows, and installing solar panels. This will dispel some of the myths around actions that can be taken if you live in a listed building or conservation area.
A whole building approach
Historic England advocates a “whole building approach” when considering adaptations to historic buildings. This is the process of exploring a building’s full context and unique make up to find a range of effective solutions that save energy and carbon, sustain its historic importance, whilst providing a safe and comfortable environment for the people who live there. The approach considers how these elements might work together to provide the most energy, carbon and cost-effective outcomes.
The Advice Note is underpinned by several key principles:
- Understanding a building and how it performs
- Understanding a building’s significance
- Prioritising interventions that are proportionate, effective and sustainable
- Minimising harm and risk of unintended negative consequences
Permissions
Some works to listed buildings, in response to climate change, will not affect their special interest and will not need listed building consent. Works that would affect the special interest of a listed building (including internal works) will require listed building consent, irrespective of the need for planning permission.
Further advice for homeowners can now be found on the Historic England website here.
Case Studies
Historic England has produced a series of new case studies highlighting successful solutions that use the whole building approach. These examples showcase a range of effective solutions that save energy and carbon, while preserving the heritage of each building and making them comfortable to live and work in. These can be found here.
Ian Morrison, Director of Policy and Evidence at Historic England, said: “This Advice Note demonstrates how the sustainable use and reuse of our historic buildings can help address the impacts of climate change. It provides clear advice to local planning authorities, heritage consultants and those involved in the planning process, alongside building owners and occupiers, to ensure England’s historic buildings are adapted appropriately to respond to the climate crisis.”
Tor Burrows, Group Sustainability Director, Grosvenor said: “Adapting historic buildings to ensure they contribute towards a low carbon future is an essential part of preserving this country’s heritage. We welcome the publication of Historic England’s new Advice Note and the clear signal it sends. Protecting the unique qualities of historic buildings and improving their energy and carbon performance are compatible and achievable.”
Training
This summer, Historic England will launch a training programme designed for local authorities and heritage professionals to grow their understanding of the practical application of the Advice Note and to help improve the consistency of decision making.
The training will include a launch webinar, e-learning, in-person and online workshops and an Online Community for local authorities. Find out more and sign up for training here.
Relevant pages across the Historic England website have also been updated to reflect this new advice.
You can read the full Historic England Advice Note here.
