The Listed Property Owners Association has made various suggestions but so far most of them seem to run up against Treasury opposition. One would have thought that removing or at least reducing vat on energy conservation products and processes would be a no brainer if the Government was serious about energy conservation.
As the writer points out there is also far too much discretion at the local level which leaves decisions to the whims of individual planners. Given how much our heritage buildings vary from one another there needs to be discretion in the system but Central Government needs to ensure that local planners have a duty to facilitate energy conservation as well as the preservation of older buildings.
I think the average heat loss is based on some smart device. So if well off young professionals are more likely to live in victorian housing in London than in Munich say then the heat loss from that will be higher.
And a big difference is probably that Britain was richer in the late 19th century than other countries so housing from that era is still around - and perhaps we had less bombing/damage in WW1/2.
In the south east and London I am sure a lot of houses have had loft extensions etc that are probably all you can really do without planning permission or pissing off the voters - don’t forget ~80% of voters are homeowners.
The Listed Property Owners Association has made various suggestions but so far most of them seem to run up against Treasury opposition. One would have thought that removing or at least reducing vat on energy conservation products and processes would be a no brainer if the Government was serious about energy conservation.
As the writer points out there is also far too much discretion at the local level which leaves decisions to the whims of individual planners. Given how much our heritage buildings vary from one another there needs to be discretion in the system but Central Government needs to ensure that local planners have a duty to facilitate energy conservation as well as the preservation of older buildings.
The French do however allow wood framed double glazing in conservation areas - and we could definitely change that rule.
I think the average heat loss is based on some smart device. So if well off young professionals are more likely to live in victorian housing in London than in Munich say then the heat loss from that will be higher.
And a big difference is probably that Britain was richer in the late 19th century than other countries so housing from that era is still around - and perhaps we had less bombing/damage in WW1/2.
In the south east and London I am sure a lot of houses have had loft extensions etc that are probably all you can really do without planning permission or pissing off the voters - don’t forget ~80% of voters are homeowners.