View of Hammersmith Terrace, a row of brick terraced houses along a riverbank reflected in the water.
Understanding significance: a historic window may contribute to the significance of the listed building, both its interior and exterior appearance, and to the significance of the terrace, and wider area, of which it is a part. Hammersmith Terrace - a row of brick terraced houses along a riverbank.
Understanding significance: a historic window may contribute to the significance of the listed building, both its interior and exterior appearance, and to the significance of the terrace, and wider area, of which it is a part. Hammersmith Terrace - a row of brick terraced houses along a riverbank.

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 a new 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 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 Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency has now been published.

This Advice Note is mainly for a specialist audience, but it will also be helpful to building owners and occupiers.

This Advice Note provides:

  • 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. It dispels some of the myths around what action 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 and sustain its historic importance whilst providing a safe and comfortable environment for those who live there. The approach considers how these elements might work together to provide the most energy, carbon and cost-effective outcomes.

Several key principles underpin the Advice Note:

  • 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

What Permission Might I Need to Make Changes to My Older Home?

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.

Ian Morrison, Director of Policy and Evidence Historic England

Training

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 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

Also of interest

Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings