“The government’s ‘green grants scheme’ leaves out most listed buildings – and so results in the most energy inefficient buildings receiving the least support.”
The Sid Valley has more listed buildings than anywhere in Devon apart from Exeter.
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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have introduced their Green Home Grants scheme:
Green Homes Grant: make energy improvements to your home – GOV.UK
Improving your home with the Green Homes Grant – Energy Saving Trust
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However, as the Listed Property Owners Club notes, it hasn’t been that well thought out:
The scheme leaves out most listed building owners and so results in the most energy inefficient buildings receiving the least support.
BEIS Responds – Listed Property
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Others in the business feel likewise:
Concerns raised over new energy efficiency proposals – ARLA Propertymark
VAT Policy for historic buildings – Designing Buildings Wiki
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Of course saving energy in a listed building can be done, but it gets expensive:
Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: How to Improve Energy Efficiency
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There is lobbying happening, however:
“We must continue to speak up for the preservation of listed properties in the UK and raise awareness in Parliament of the role played by listed property owners in protecting the nation’s heritage.”
– Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Listed Properties.
Here he is being interviewed by the Listed Property Owners Club:
Craig Mackinlay MP Interview – Listed Property
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This affects Sidmouth:
The Sid Valley has more listed buildings than anywhere in Devon apart from Exeter:
East Devon’s local heritage list – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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And we need to be looking after it:
Celebrating Sidmouth’s heritage – Vision Group for Sidmouth
The importance of heritage to the local economy – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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photo: The early 19th century thatched cottage was Grade II listed in 1951 (as Pauntley Cottage).
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