March saw the release by the Government of Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS5). This new policy statement aims to simplify existing policy related to the Historic Environment and contains important new guidance related to heritage assets and climate change.

PPS5 recognises that the historic environment has an important role to play in addressing climate change through reuse of existing assets and as a source of inspiration and information for new sustainable development.

The new policy encourages local planning authorities to identify opportunities to enhance heritage assets by improving energy efficiency, improving resilience to the effects of climate change and allowing for greater use of renewable energy without harming their historical significance.

Baroness Andrews, Chair of English Heritage, said: "The publication of PPS5 is a milestone in the positive and proactive management of the historic environment. It represents a major leap forward for England's programme of Heritage Protection Reform and will help to make better, more sustainable places."

English Heritage guidance on the new statement says:

"Local planning authorities are encouraged to keep abreast of up-to-date information on the efficiency and sustainability of historic buildings and the best means of improving their performance. They may find it helpful to identify exemplars that can be shared with potential applicants to increase the likelihood of more sustainable proposals being put forward."

Nicole Solomons of MEA, Coordinator of the SECHURBA project which looks at ways of improving the sustainability of historic buildings recently visited a church in London which is the first in the UK to install solar PV tiles made to blend in with the other slate roof tiles:

The PV tiles are expected to yield an estimated 11,800 kWh pa, providing 47% of its energy needs and cutting over 7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year

St Silas Church, Pentonville showing integrated solar PV tiles

A workshop looking at energy efficiency in Victorian housing will be held at Castlefields Community Hall on Tuesday 20^th July 2010 - for more details phone 01743 277109

More information on SECHURBA can be found at http://www.sechurba.eu/

On St Silas Church Project: http://www.saint-silas.org.uk/

PPS5 and the supporting Practice Guide document can be downloaded from the Communities and Local Government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps5