Written by Mark Cowley

Listed buildings can present unique challenges when it comes to energy efficiency.

These buildings are often older and may not have been designed with energy efficiency in mind. As a result, they may be more difficult and expensive to heat, and may also have higher carbon emissions than more modern buildings.

In addition, any alterations to the building’s fabric or features must be done in a way that respects the building’s historic and architectural significance, which can limit the types of energy-saving measures that can be implemented.

These measures are often subject to seeking Listed Building consent to be able to lawfully carry out window replacement.

When looking to enhance the energy efficiency of a listed building, windows are the obvious area to target as external walls, roofs and floors are generally untouchable due to the heritage of the building. In the current climate where energy efficiency is key to us all and in particular in Central London with its stock of grade II listed buildings this provides a challenge especially for the rental market.

Thankfully the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council recently published a draft Local Listed Building Consent Order (LLBCOs) regarding the addition of double-glazed windows to Grade II Listed Buildings. This LLBCO consulted between 14th November 2022 through to January 9th 2023. The LLBCO’s intent is to allow specific works to listed buildings without the need for consent without the owners needing to make individual applications subject to conditions.

This is a positive step by the council to encourage energy saving measures and should be encouraged however it is very important that we maintain the architectural significance of our listed buildings.

The order will seek to give permission to undertake:

• Application of internal secondary glazing to windows, subject to conditions.
• Replacement of existing windows with double glazed windows or replacement of single glazed panes with insulated glazing units in extensions to a listed building constructed after the date of listing and with the benefit of listed building consent.
• Replacement of existing windows with double glazed windows or replacement of single glazed panes with insulated glazing units where the window was installed in a listed building after the date of listing and with the benefit of listed building consent.

Rigby & Rigby Architects have great knowledge in seeking Listed building consent for both replacement and upgrading existing windows in listed buildings as part of refurbishment and alteration works therefore we welcome this positive step by RBKC to give our clients comfort than energy saving measures can be undertaken to their homes.

We understand the draft LLBCO has been through its consultation period and following input from English Heritage will be developed further to hopefully be adopted this year.

It is positive news to see the local authorities are conscious of the need to improve the energy efficiency of the beautiful stock of listed buildings and at Rigby & Rigby we are committed to working with local authority to ensure our listed buildings retain their historical value and remain viable as homes for many more years to come.