PRESS RELEASES

TV presenter and historian, Dan Snow, addressed architects, surveyors and conservationists in Farringdon last Thursday at an event to launch The Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s new publication: The Green Guide for Historic Buildings.

The publication is a comprehensive new guide for anyone wanting to improve the environmental performance of historic and listed buildings. It provides practical step-by-step advice on improving the environmental sustainability of historic and listed buildings, expert opinion on sympathetic adaptations and, crucially, how effective they are likely to be in saving money and reducing carbon emissions.

"Climate change affects us all and that goes for historic buildings too. Our new publication explains how practical, cost-effective energy saving measures can be applied,” said Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, The Prince's Regeneration Trust.

Ros continued:
"It was fantastic seeing so many people come together for the guide’s launch and we hope that the event has inspired them to review the energy consumption of the historic buildings they are associated with and to take the opportunity to improve the environmental performance of these buildings.”

At the event, Dan Snow demonstrated his passion for historic buildings and support for The Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s new guide.

“The Trust and I share a passion for the built historic environment . As someone with a love for history, I believe that we need to protect our magnificent heritage while rising to the real climate change challenges we face today,” said Dan.

Dan continued:
“The Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s new guide is a must read not only for people associated with listed buildings but also anybody with an interest in the conservation of other historic buildings.”

The guide - which contains a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales - summarises key legislation and policy and takes the reader through the major steps from planning to completion. There are practical 'hints and tips' from leading heritage regeneration specialists and a quick reference FAQ section on how to obtain statutory consents. Cost comparisons are given on the move to cleaner energy, together with schemes and initiatives that can save money when it comes to adapting a building. The guide also uses 13 exemplar case studies to show where environmental efficiency has been successfully achieved in the UK.

When making historic and listed buildings more energy efficient, the guide advocates reducing energy needs before considering how to generate renewable energy on site:

"It makes no sense to affect the character of the building by introducing solar or photovoltaic panels if the hot water tank, pipes, floor and roof are inadequately insulated, the windows and doors are ill-fitting or the occupants leave all the lights on. Expenditure on loft insulation is a reasonably cheap and quick way of introducing beneficial energy saving measures into a building, and managing the way people within the building consume energy is also a crucial, yet achievable, task," explained Ros.

Simon Thorpe, Chairman of the Cornwall Buildings Preservation Trust believes such a guide has been long awaited:
“The Green Guide has arrived not a moment too soon. Historic buildings are an integral part of a sustainable future and there is an urgent need for clear and effective guidance which unpicks the myth that historic buildings are inherently energy inefficient. I will be recommending the Guide to all my colleagues.”
John Miller, Chief Executive of the Heritage Trust for the Northwest also supports the guide:

“This is an indispensible guide for anyone wanting to make historic buildings more energy efficient and includes such excellent and comprehensive information that it will be a close companion for all my future projects.”

Although the guide focuses on listed buildings it has direct relevance and application to many areas of conservation, and in particular, other types of historic building which make up our magnificent built heritage landscape.

The Green Guide for Historic Buildings may be purchased online at www.tsoshop.co.uk

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