Cornwall has a rich historic environment. It includes old buildings and places. They are important from a historical point of view. To lose them would be to lose a vital part of Cornish:
- identity
- character and
- distinctiveness.
Caring for our historic environment is important. It requires regular maintenance and repair. Repairs should use the right methods and materials. Regular maintenance can avoid wasting time and money. It can prevent:
- loss of original fabric
- long-term structural defects.
Traditional Building Skills
Our geology provides local materials for development. Local building materials create Cornish character and distinctiveness. Our stock is rich and varied across Cornwall.
Using the correct building materials supports:
- the supply of historic building materials for future generations
- crafts people
- traditional building skills
- local character and
- distinctiveness
Traditional building skills have declined. So Cornwall Council are working with partners to reverse this. We have set up courses in historic building materials and skills.
Our partners are Cornwall College and the Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust
Courses include:
- scantle slate roofing and
- working with lime and cob.
Please see the links below for further information:
Energy efficiency and renewable energy in historic buildings
Improving energy efficiency will lower carbon emissions and fuel bills, and often increase comfort. There are many ways to improve energy efficiency in historic buildings. It is better to re-use than rebuild old buildings. Replacing a building costs energy. Historic buildings contain 'embodied energy'. They also contain a local identity and sense of place.
If you wish to improve energy efficiency in your historic building, please see:
- Saving Energy | Historic England
- Improving Energy Efficiency in Cornish Historic Buildings
- Appendix 2
- Appendix 3
- Appendix 4
We have a commitment to tackle climate change. Planning policy encourages using sustainable options for powering your home when possible and appropriate. Installing any renewable energy source should be seen as part of a 'whole building approach' to improve the energy efficiency of a building. Old buildings perform differently to modern buildings. Sometime old buildings need a different approach:
- Low and Zero Carbon Technologies in Historic Properties | Historic England
- Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: Solar Electric (Photovoltaics) | Historic England
- Installing Heat Pumps in Historic Buildings | Historic England
You can find more information on how to improve energy efficiency in your old building at Historic England: Climate Change, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency. In particular:
- Practical Guidance on Energy Efficiency
- Generating Energy in Older Houses
- Modifying Historic Windows as part of Retrofitting Energy-saving Measures
- Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings
- HEAN14: Energy Efficiency and Traditional Homes
Other sources include:
- Planning responsible retrofit of Traditional Buildings
- Retrofitting of Traditional Buildings guidance note
- Responsible Retrofit Knowledge Centre and Guidance Wheel
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB): Knowledge base
- A quick Guide to Low Carbon Living in Older Homes (2021)
Conversion of traditional farm buildings
Farm buildings are key to historic settlements and landscapes.
You can convert farm buildings for new uses. This should be done with care and understanding of of their:
- distinctiveness and
- special character.
Historic farmsteads guidance
This guidance will help achieve sustainable development. It will help to conserve and enhance all the farm. It includes the history and character of Cornwall’s landscape. It covers settlements and historic buildings as well.
The Cornwall Farmstead Assessment Framework gives a step by step approach for the:
- reuse of traditional farm buildings and
- sustainable development of farmsteads.
It identifies their historic character, significance and potential for change.
The Farmsteads Character Statement contains information on our traditional farms and buildings.
For more information:
