Working with Etude and Prewett Bizley, we developed a comprehensive four-part guidance suite for London Councils that addresses one of the capital's most pressing challenges: how to retrofit heritage housing stock while preserving its character and significance.
17% of London’s housing stock lies within conservation areas, presenting particular challenges when it comes to improving energy efficiency. The new guidance produced for London Councils, with input from the Warmer Homes London, London Boroughs of Hackney and Camden, and Historic England, provides a clear framework to help borough officers, planners, and homeowners balance sustainability objectives with heritage protection.
The suite comprises of four complementary documents:
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Case Studies and Database - A visual and interactive online database featuring over 70 real retrofit projects across London, with detailed case studies demonstrating successful approaches. The database is searchable by building type, heritage context, and retrofit measures, providing planning officers with comparable examples for consistent decision-making.
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Clearer Planning Guidance - Practical recommendations and sample wording that help boroughs improve clarity and consistency in their planning guidance and application processes. Focuses on the four key retrofit measures: window upgrades, air source heat pumps, solar PV, and external wall insulation.
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Planning Mechanisms - Guidance on how boroughs can utilise available planning tools—from Local Development Orders to Heritage Partnership Agreements—to actively support retrofit measures. Includes step-by-step processes and case studies of boroughs already implementing these mechanisms.
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Benefits and Risk of Harm - A structured framework that enables conservation and planning officers to assess retrofit proposals with confidence, weighing public benefits against potential heritage harm, with specific guidance for conservation areas and listed buildings.
These resources have been developed through extensive engagement with London borough officers and retrofit specialists, ensuring they respond to real-world challenges and support London's transition to net zero while protecting its built heritage for future generations.
The guidance is designed as a living resource, with the database regularly updated as new case studies emerge across London's boroughs.
The full guidance suite is publicly available via London Councils at: https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2025/preserving-past-powering-future-green-upgrades-londons-heritage-homes