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Ventrolla’s case for a standardised approach in planning and conservation efforts in heritage and historic properties
Ventrolla’s case for a standardised approach in planning and the evolving landscape of heritage conservation, professionals are increasingly challenged with balancing the preservation of historic buildings and the ever-growing demands to meet energy efficiency and modern living standards.
The recent roundtable, hosted by Ventrolla, brought together planners, conservation officers, architects, and consultants to discuss the critical pain points in the industry, share interesting case studies and examples, and plan a path forward for a more cohesive and collaborative future. Throughout the discussion the overarching conclusion was clear, while the frameworks and guidance exist and are considered to be at a high standard, the inconsistent interpretation, lack of standardisation between councils and poor knowledge and confusion amongst homeowners continue to undermine progress in the industry.
Inconsistent interpretation – a national challenge
One of the primary concerns voiced throughout the session was the differing interpretations of the official guidelines across different regions and councils. While the national guidance – provided by Heritage England – largely considered a strong, pragmatic and informative piece of documentation that is fit for purpose, the application of this guidance at local level is fragmented. Throughout the discussion, one participant highlighted two case studies as an example of this. One involved a building with 1908’s windows where the implementation of slimline double glazing was approved, the other was a historically significant townhouse that faced total refusal despite a strong proposal to replace degraded sashes while preserving the original frames. The subjectivity of decisions was something many attendees agreed with, highlighting how the guidance is spot on, but it is the interpretation that needs work.
The consensus was that improved communication between councils and officers is essential. Many areas need to ‘calibrate’ and establish a unified guidance document to ensure that the interpretation is standardised and consistent, and conflicting decisions can be avoided.
Energy efficiency – the expectation vs reality
The UK’s push towards net zero has added a sense of urgency to buildings that need an upgrade to meet performance targets, but this often clashes with preservation restrictions. For the public, the expectations are shaped by the media’s messaging around energy efficiency upgrades and what is possible, but this is not necessarily the reality.
One attendee noted that ‘the green message is louder than the heritage message’, and this has created a difference in what clients expect to be possible, and what the heritage and conservation authorities will actually allow. In some properties, even if the original windows are long gone and the replacements have degraded beyond repair, it can still be difficult to obtain the relevant consent to make the necessary changes. One case that was highlighted discussed how it took 15 months to gain approval for replacing severely rotted windows, 85% of which were not original.
To realign the possibilities with heritage and current energy goals, it is vital to consider alternative approaches to improvement such as draft proofing and secondary glazing – which can offer up to a 30% improvement in efficiency without altering the historic fabric of the building with the likes of the Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS). Another consideration is through the implementation of vacuum glazing, which has a near identical appearance to single glass but much better energy efficiency.
The case for site visits and better information
One of the most repeated frustrations was the lack of on-site assessments by conservation officers, especially in recent years. Decisions are often being made based on limited documentation, often using outdated or inaccurate reports, or those that do not include all the necessary information. It was highlighted that site visits should be a standard for conservation officers, not just when an appeal occurs. Unfortunately, at the moment, there is not enough experts to cover the number of properties and projects coming in for review.
The shortfall in property visits often results in decisions that ignore a properties current condition, with one attendee noting that they have seen a report recommending a resin repair for a window that was completely missing.
There is a lack of spending and resource going into the industry that is leading to these difficulties. Without the funds and resources, the experts cannot properly vet properties and complete reviews in a timely manner, which in turn will just continue to become a longer process. A lack of resource could also impact the training people are given. In time, we could see lesser skilled people making the decisions due to budget constraints and wider economic challenges, so it is incredibly important to continue the focus on training and skills development.
The solution here lies in providing high-quality, detailed documentation and reports. The more relevant and detailled information that can be given, will help to make these experts jobs easier and the process on a whole faster. Not only will this help streamline applications and potentially reduce delays, but it creates an opportunity to educate the public on what is needed for these reports and how to ensure they provide all the detail needed.
Educating stakeholders – from clients to conservation officers
As noted above, the roundtable emphasised the role of education in addressing the current issues in the planning process. Misconceptions about energy efficiency, a poor understanding of conservation requirements and a lack of training for new officers and the general public are all fuelling the inconsistent interpretation, unrealistic expectations and differing approval decisions.
Going back to Ventrolla’s consultation service, the initiative aims to improve the planning experience by acting as a liaison and consultant, supporting the applications and helping bring together the information needed. By taking ownership of the front-end process, the aim is to reduce (or remove) the headache for clients, which is a particular benefit for those looking for convenience and assurance throughout the process.
Ventrolla’s overall approach, which includes photographing, annotating and evaluating each window individually, was praised as a model for best industry practice. It was noted that when an application from the likes of Ventrolla comes into review, officers take it seriously. They know and understand that documentation submitted by Ventrolla will be of a high quality and consistent.
Beyond the client side, Ventrolla also offers CPD sessions for conservation officers, planners, architects and even colleges and universities. The sessions aim to update stakeholders on emerging technologies and educate them on best practices in window assessment, draft proofing and retrofitting.
Moving towards a unified, sustainable future
Ultimately, the conversation consistently circled back to the need for collaboration and a standardisation of interpretation. Participants called for a national guidance document that was aligned with Historic England’s documentation and approach but is tailored towards the varying local nuances and needs. Social media, video content and podcasts are all great ways to better disseminate knowledge and drive conversation to help improve the levels of education on the topic.
As one attendee noted, “we’re not just conserving buildings, we’re conserving understanding”. Once the historic buildings are gone and the education and knowledge is lost, there is no going back. We need to capitalise on those owning and respecting the buildings whilst we can. Historic building conservation must evolve if we are to continue meeting modern needs and living standards, but that does not mean abandoning the principles the industry stands on. The best approach is an alignment with the modern realities of life, client and public expectations and environmental targets.