Kensington and Chelsea eyes planning tweaks to aid greener homes

Kensington and Chelsea council is set to relax its planning rules to allow energy-efficiency boosting window upgrades on grade II-listed buildings without the need for listed-building consent.

Under the proposals, listed-building approval would not be required to replace or upgrade windows installed after the original grade II listing, or in a building extension constructed after the original listing.

Interior secondary glazing would also be permitted without the need for listed-building consent.

Kensington and Chelsea said the rule change was aimed at making it easier for owners of the borough’s 4,000 listed buildings to improve energy-efficiency without damaging the character of local areas and buildings that listings are designed to protect.

Cem Kemahli, the council’s lead member for planning, place and environment, added that the move would make homes warmer and contribute to Kensington and Chelsea’s long-term plans to reduce carbon emissions.

“We have set a target to be carbon neutral by 2040. It’s ambitious and it will need a whole community effort, which is why we want to remove barriers to people choosing greener measures for their homes,” he said.

“We can protect our buildings whilst moving with the times. Listed buildings of 200 years old or more have new rooves in their lifetimes, so there’s no reason why we can’t see upgrades for greener measures in the same way.

“Getting new windows or installing renewable energy should be easier if it’s part of the ongoing maintenance of someone’s home and reduces carbon emissions.”

Under the proposals, Kensington and Chelsea would make a blanket consent order for window upgrades that comply with an extensive list of conditions. Replacement windows will typically need to visually replicate the design of the existing windows and have hand-painted wood frames. Variation from the conditions would require written consent from the council.

Church buildings are not covered by the proposed rule changes, which are out to consultation until 9 January.

Earlier this year RBKC introduced planning changes to make it easier to install solar panels on most grade II and grade II*-listed homes in the borough. It said the move was a national first.

There are conditions about the positioning, materials and fixings that can be used, to protect the appearance and fabric of listed buildings. But specific listed-building consent is not required.