Cold and Listed

The Guardian tells us of a picturesque 17th Century farmhouse tucked away in idyllic Gloucestershire. The beautiful building is absolutely freezing inside as the listed status of the building restricts the changes that need to be made. Secondary glazing and new central heating systems are not an option.

Nearly 450,000 of us live in listed properties and a great deal more have some similar restrictions living in conservation areas.

The environmentalists in us will shiver at the thought of all of that wasted energy from the poorly insulated dwellings offering as much warmth to the occupants as the passer-by.

The suggestion of the poor blighters living in the draughty conditions is the conflict, on the one hand preventing them from making physical changes detracting from the property and on the other making it a dwelling that can actually be lived in.

Whilst English Heritage are keen to issue new guidance, it is the interpretation of the guidance by Local Authorities that can often be contentious.

Sounds oh so familiar...