Historic England issues new advice on energy efficiency

Lucy Dixon
23.07.2024

Historic England has produced new advice to provide clarity and support consistent decision-making for proposals to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings.

Primarily aimed at local planning authorities, heritage consultants and those involved in the planning process, Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency has now been published – mainly for a specialist audience, but it will also be helpful to building owners and occupiers.

The new advice includes 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. It also offers 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.

Historic England advocates a ‘whole building approach’ when considering adaptations to historic buildings.

This summer, Historic England will launch a training programme designed to help local authorities and heritage professionals grow their understanding of the practical application of the advice note and to help improve the consistency of decision-making.

The guidance includes several case studies of retrofitted historic buildings, including Becket’s Chapel in Norfolk, which has low-carbon heating and roofing insulation, and Ledston Hall in Yorkshire which has an improved thermal performance thanks to sensitively updated windows.