Energy Efficiency Planning Guidance for Conservation Areas

Overview

With temperatures dropping and gas prices rising, having an energy efficient home has never been more important. Not only to provide warm, dry, living spaces and to reduce energy bills, but also to contribute to global and local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

In Camden, over 25% of borough carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions result from heating and powering homes.  To achieve our 40% borough wide CO2 reduction target by 2020 and contribute to national action under the Climate Change Act, 2008, we estimate that over 30,000 of the 58,000 homes built in Camden before 1919 need to make a 60% energy saving.

Why do we need a specialist approach in Camden?

Camden is an attractive and historic borough – rich in architecture and heritage.  As a result, some 75% of our developed areas are designated as ‘conservation areas’.  This means they have a special character and appearance, which we have a duty  to preserve and, where appropriate, enhance.

Our response to the pressing need to reduce energy use must therefore be sensitive in order to preserve the heritage significance of the borough. 

Historic homes in Camden’s conservation areas can be made more energy efficient, often through relatively minor and easy interventions which enable them to retain their special character and appearance, as well as the features – like historic doors and windows - that make them special.   Where major energy efficiency measures are proposed, it is important to consider how and where these are likely to be acceptable.   

Why your views matter

We are working with residents to develop a detailed energy efficiency planning guidance for all conservation areas to help residents who want to improve the energy efficiency of their home to: 

• decide on the most effective things you can do to save energy;
• prioritise the work you undertake;
• consider the costs and other implications;
• appreciate the character of your conservation area; and
• understand how to introduce energy saving measures which preserve the character and appearance of your conservation area.

We hope this new guidance will give residents living in conversation areas clear advice on how to make appropriate energy saving changes and thereby contribute to the improved energy efficiency of homes across Camden.

Click here to view the draft Guidance.

Please send us your feedback by filling in the survey by 10 February 2014.

What happens next

Following the consultation we will consider all the comments submitted and the finalised guidance will be adopted.