Service Description: The Conservation & Design Team are concerned with preserving and enhancing the built environment, dealing with listed buildings and Conservation Areas. This service was previously known as "Conservation & Design".
Also known as:- Conservation & Design, Conservation Areas, Historic Buildings, Listed Buildings
Answer: From 10 September 2007 the law will require anyone selling a house with three or more bedrooms to put together a Home Information Pack (HIPs) for potential home buyers. The Pack will include recommendations for carrying out energy efficiency improvements. Over 25% of our building stock is made up of historic and traditional buildings and whilst these are not exempt from HIPs, they do require special consideration since they are built very differently from modern housing. Though most traditionally constructed homes are capable of improvement, it is important that work is planned and carried out carefully if unintended harm to the building is to be avoided. Standard measures to improve energy efficiency which are appropriate to modern buildings, could be expensive, ineffective and potentially harmful when applied to traditional buildings. Simple repairs to windows and doors can generate some of the most significant improvements. Appliances and fittings (heating systems and controls, hot water heating and lighting) can also often be changed without altering the historic fabric (although cabling and pipe runs can be disruptive). English Heritage advise that 'although Home Inspectors and Energy Assessors have been specifically trained, the recommendations that they produce are based on a number of assumptions about historic and traditional buildings which may be inappropriate and will certainly not contain the level of detailed survey that is needed before making specific recommendations. In addition, many of today’s modern construction methods and materials are unsuitable for older buildings and if thoughtlessly applied could not only destroy important features, they could ultimately lead to damp and condensation problems'. Please note that you should check with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) whether the building is listed, in a conservation area or if other planning controls are in place before carrying out any works to a historic/traditional building. Failure to do so could result in illegal works and the LPA taking enforcement action and ultimately prosecution. Please contact the Customer Information Team at Planning Services on 01983 823552 or email [email protected] for further information on a specific property's planning history. The Council's Conservation & Design Team are available to give advice to assessors and homeowners and can be contacted by email [email protected] or on 01983 823552. Alternatively, guidance notes can be downloaded from our website www.iwight.com/conservation. - Related Link