The Alliance submitted a short online response to the Government’s consultation on the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), a programme to deliver energy efficiency measures in homes. The consultation proposes, among other things, setting targets for insulating buildings of solid wall construction – the majority of which will be heritage buildings.
Among other things the Heritage Alliance objected to a requirement to treat a minimum number of solid wall homes. Nearly all solid wall homes are likely to be heritage assets – most listed buildings will be of solid wall construction and in these cases installation of SWI will need listed building consent. The application of external solid wall insulation will be further constrained where properties are in conservation areas or the installation of external SWI will affect the setting of listed buildings. Even outside of these restrictions, SWI will harm the significance of non designated heritage assets.
While solid wall Insulation may be appropriate in some cases, its suitability must be judged on a case by case basis. A minimum target will drive inappropriate installations.