IHBC warn government on retrofitting older homes
In November 2017, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), along with several leading heritage organisations and client bodies, wrote to the government to highlight the way ‘flawed’ energy efficiency policy is leading to mis-treatments in traditional buildings.
Advised and led for the IHBC by ‘Green’ Panel Chair John Preston, the IHBC has joined together with other bodies - including the Church of England and the National Trust - to write to the Government to explain that the one-size-fits-all approach to energy efficiency fails to recognise the unique nature of heritage properties.
John Preston said:
"This collective letter and release is from a group of heritage bodies with a critical mass which should make Government sit up and take notice. Anything others can do to spread the word will only help.
"This initiative complements the technical evidence gathered by IHBC, SPAB, HE, HES, STBA and NT, and takes the issues raised to a much higher public and political level. This is a crucial step in arguing for radical changes to Government approaches to retrofit specifically, and to counter the damaging impacts of deregulation in terms of both unavailability of advice, and the damage and waste arising from uncoordinated and inappropriate measures.
"Pending a response from Ministers to the letter, a further crucial test will be the (delayed) publication of the Government’s response to December 2016’s consultation on SAP and RdSAP, on which EPCs and the whole basis of the Government’s approach to retrofit depend. This response may be published by 20 November if it is not delayed again. Watch this space!"
IHBC Chair – and co-signatory of the letter – James Caird said:
"We share the Government’s concern on climate change and agree that energy efficiency is central to tackling it but there are substantial flaws in the policy which left unaddressed have the potential to damage homes, cause disruption in the property market and fail to achieve the Government’s energy efficiency objectives.
"Older buildings are an important part of our national heritage and are highly sought after for their character. It would be a tragedy for the Government to put them at risk with an overly simplistic approach to energy efficiency.
"Together we want to encourage better investment in housing to achieve warmer, more efficient homes, but this is undermined when property owners do not have faith in the information found in energy performance certificates."
Signatories are:
- National Trust.
- Church of England.
- Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA).
- Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
- Historic Houses Association (HHA).
- Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).
- Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies (JCNAS).
- Country Land and Business Association (CLA).
This article was originally published here by IHBC on 10th Nov 2017.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
RTPI: Measuring What Matters: Planning Outcomes Research
The Royal Town Planning Institute(RTPI) has issued research from across the UK and Ireland into how authorities can measure the outcomes of planning.
Wales introduces the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) for a green recovery
The Welsh Government has given the green light and a further £10M to a major new programme that will transform social housing across Wales, boost the economy and open the door to a new Welsh industry: the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP).
Lifeline grants for culture in all corners of the country
Culture across the country benefits as Lifeline grants from the latest round of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund will protect a further 162 heritage sites across the country.
Scottish Government rejects transformation of landmark building into luxury hotel
Now the building long touted as a potential home for the Scottish Parliament stands as a symbol of a divided Scottish capital.
One of Britain’s last AA telephone boxes saved
AA Box 161 has now been listed. The telephone boxes were a sanctuary for motorists in distress, but of the hundreds across Britain just 21 remain.
IHBC submits comments on BSI’s PAS 2038 – Retrofitting non-domestic properties
The IHBC has noted that it fails to emphasise the need to carry out appropriate repairs as the vital precursor to installing retrofit measures.
Mapping tool for unused construction materials launched
A mapping tool that provides contractors and their suppliers with a central database of local Materials Exchange Platform (MEP) projects to help cut waste by finding a home for unused materials has been launched.
'Unusual' WW2 sites listed and upgraded to mark 80th anniversary of Battle of Britain
An air raid shelter, a pillbox cleverly disguised as a roofless cottage, a rare Chain Home radar defence tower, and a war memorial have been granted protection.
Derby City Council plans to knock down the 43-year old Assembly Rooms
A planning application has been submitted by Derby City Council to knock down the Assembly Rooms – which has played host to the likes of Elton John, Iron Maiden, Take That, etc.
RIBA launches new contracts for the provision of conservation architectural services
Specifically tailored for conservation projects, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has launched two brand new professional services contracts.