CAMPAIGN FOR
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
2019 was the year of the climate crisis, when energy use became a household topic around the world. Of course, for listed building owners energy use has been a major issue for rather longer, but the past year has greatly amplified the desire for change. Particularly as fuel costs have risen, along with emissions standards, a great many owners have wanted to improve their home’s performance.
The challenge for listed buildings is the need to meet stringent consent standards, including protecting original materials such as historic, single-glazed windows. This makes it notoriously difficult to decrease costs, and some owners have reluctantly decided to sell rather than struggle to make their home more energy efficient.
A particular concern for owners is that they have a set budget and typically want to focus on a few key works. This is somewhat at odds with official guidance that emphasises a “whole building” approach, starting with less significant works. For the owner, following that approach means spending money on less impactful works and their associated consents without being sure if they will achieve the desired results.
OUR CAMPAIGN IN 2020
The coming year promises some real improvements for listed building owners. The next budget will likely include an increase in local government resources, which should ease the day-to-day problems owners face with an overburdened planning system. A major planning white paper will arrive in England, and a planning review will conclude in Wales, so some more substantive reforms are on the way.
The Club will be championing member’s needs across the whole UK, spearheaded by our efforts to reform planning processes to make them cheaper, faster and
more approachable. This has been made the centre of the APPG agenda in 2020, and we will be engaging with other stakeholders to drive forward with a comprehensive reform.
The Club will be pushing for VAT reforms, and to expand existing financial support so more owners can benefit from them. Our aim is to engage directly with the Treasury, supported by the APPG and Tax Group, and to find a compromise that will enable some immediate support to return.
For 2020, we are lobbying for the creation of an energy strategy for listed buildings. This would include improved guidance for consent decisions, emphasising that energy improvements are critical for listed buildings to remain viable homes and that this needs to be taken into account. It would also cover improved materials for owners, giving user friendly advice on which improvements are suitable in a typical listed home, and why other options are unlikely to gain consent.
Scottish owners have one additional challenge compared to other British owners. In England and Wales listed buildings are exempt from needing an energy performance certificate. This means they can continue to be bought, sold and rented even with poor performance. Scottish buildings are not formally exempt, and the standards required will slowly increase over the coming decade.
This could leave owners in a precarious position; prevented from installing improvements but still required to improve energy use to continue their use. In 2020 we will be campaigning to the Scottish government amend the EPC regime in line with England and Wales.
OWNERS
OUR CAMPAIGN GUIDE
The Club has produced a campaign guide, covering: • Why we need a campaign • What is our campaign doing for you • Timeline of Events • The APPG on Listed Properties • Efforts in Scotland and Wales • How you can get involved • Letter writing
To request a copy please email
campaign@lpoc.co.uk or download from our website
www.lpoc.co.uk/campaign
Listed Heritage Magazine January/February 2020 23
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