Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has provided recent guidance to local authorities on encouraging homeowners in conservation areas to (a) improve the energy-efficiency of their homes through retrofitting and (b) maintain the character of their properties.

The Government is fully committed to encouraging homeowners to incorporate energy efficiency measures in their properties in order to tackle climate change. Historic England, the Government’s adviser on heritage matters, publishes a range of advice on installing energy efficiency measures in historic buildings.

The Government has also recently undertaken a review of the practical planning barriers that households can face when installing energy efficiency measures such as improved glazing, including in conservation areas and listed buildings. An announcement on the outcome of the review will be made in due course.