There has been coverage in the media of plans published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to remove barriers and drive energy efficiency in historic homes, cutting energy bills for households across the country.
'Adapting Historic Homes for Energy Efficiency: A Review of the Barriers’ looked into the challenges households face when retrofitting in conservation areas and listed buildings.
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’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
The Daily Telegraph carried a story on the announcement on its front page, reporting planning rules are to be relaxed so heat pumps and solar panels can be more easily installed in listed buildings.
The news was also reported by The Mail and a number of trade outlets, while an animation graphic was published on the department’s social media channels.
Minister for Housing and Communities Baroness Penn said:
Our historic homes are the jewel in the crown of this country’s heritage and must be protected.
This 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.
The 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.