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New plans have been published today to remove barriers and drive energy efficiency in historic homes, cutting energy bills for households across the country, while also ensuring that the important historical and beautiful features of these homes are properly protected.

The Government wants to see the energy efficiency of historic homes improved but without the blight of ugly or inappropriate retrofit damaging these properties.

The Government has published its review into the challenges households face when retrofitting in conservation areas and listed buildings.聽

Currently, owners of home built before 1919 face paying on average 拢428 a year more on energy bills if their home is not energy efficient*, while the review found planning was a major issue faced by households, with frustration about the time it takes to get planning permission.鈥�

The 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 the Government鈥檚 commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.鈥�

Minister for Housing and Communities Baroness Penn said:鈥�

聽鈥淥ur historic homes are the jewel in the crown of this country鈥檚 heritage and must be protected.鈥�

鈥淭his review will ensure they are preserved for future generations to enjoy, while also improve the lives of those who live in them by reducing their energy costs, supporting us in our shared goal to reach Net Zero by 2050.鈥濃��

Minister for Arts & Heritage Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

鈥淧eople who own and live in historic homes are their custodians, and want to take responsible action to protect them for the benefit of generations to come.

鈥淭hat isn鈥檛 always as straightforward as it should be, so this review has looked at how we can make it easier, while continuing to protect our historic environment.鈥�

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said:

鈥淲e鈥檝e already made huge progress in improving energy efficiency - with almost half of all homes in England at an EPC rating of C or above, up from 14% in 2010.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 measures will now help to keep historic homes warm for less, while protecting our heritage as we progress towards our net zero goal.鈥�

Commitments set out in the review to drive energy efficiency鈥痠nclude:鈥�

• A consultation on new national development management policy specially for historic buildings, ensuring greater certainty and consistency in decisions.鈥�
• Consulting on the greater use of Listed Building Consent Orders to support building improvements, removing the need to submit individual listed building consent applications.鈥�
• Developing clearer guidance for historic homeowners on improving energy efficiency and supporting the construction industry to better deliver retrofitting services.鈥�
• Consulting on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates to ensure they are聽 accurate, reliable and trustworthy.鈥�

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said:鈥�

聽鈥淗istoric England welcomes this Energy Efficiency Review and the positive actions it highlights. Historic buildings can and must accommodate change if they are to play a crucial role in helping the UK to transition to Net Zero.鈥�鈥�

鈥淭his review demonstrates that heritage needn鈥檛 be a barrier and identifies opportunities to unlock the potential of historic buildings in England to contribute to meeting our Net Zero target.鈥濃��

The measures outlined in 鈥楢dapting Historic Homes for Energy Efficiency: A Review of the Barriers鈥�, will make life easier for those who own and live in historic homes, while ensuring the country鈥檚 heritage is protected.鈥�

鈥疶he review has been developed in partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, supported by Historic England.聽

鈥疘n the British Energy Security Strategy, published April 2022, the Government committed to undertake a review of the practical planning barriers households can face when installing energy efficiency measures such as improved glazing in conservation areas and listed buildings.鈥�鈥�鈥�

鈥疎vidence collected during the review and feedback from stakeholders highlighted that barriers were wider than just the planning system. The scope of the review was therefore, broadened to examine a wider set of challenges to retrofitting historic homes, and to identify where further work is needed.

Further information:

• According to the English Housing Survey 2021, homes built before 1919 could save on average 拢428 per year on energy costs if they are improved to EPC C, through insulation or other energy saving measures.
• 鈥楢dapting Historic Homes for Energy Efficiency: A Review of the Barriers鈥� is available to view here.