[Very early draft – not to be circulated]
Modern conservation attitudes are typified by the statement “conservation is no longer about preserving in aspic, it is more about managing change.” ( Historic England Conservation Bulletins 62, 74 and SCC Historic Environment Officer). Herbert Collins Estate Ltd argue that they are not trying to create an architectural museum. It would be impossible to make everyone drive around in Austin 7s and put out “heritage” metal dustbins instead of wheelie bins. Times change and these houses are for people who live in the 21st century.
While the architectural vision and aspirations of Herbert Collins is worth preserving, we know that the man himself was an innovator in community architecture and also embraced new technology within what were traditional looking buildings. He not only installed gas refrigerators in 1924 but was an early adopter of the cavity wall. Had he been alive today we feel sure would probably also embrace the environmental principles that so many current leading architects do.
The problem with solar panels on Herbert Collins houses is that the aesthetic advantages of the building uniformity would be destroyed by a collection of randomly different and unsympathetically placed panels.
Solution 1: The freeholder could install a uniform solar installation throughout the estate – designed by a conservation architect who will ensure the panels and their positioning harmonises with Herbert Collins’ original concepts. They could be installed cost efficiently across the entire estate, with the generated energy benefiting the community as a whole by using it to pay towards the maintenance of the estate. Such a “mini solar farm” scheme is part of the Climate Emergency Conservation Area Toolkit published by ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network)
Solar farms can also be set up on local large flat roofs for income to building freeholder or jointly with local community stakeholder investors. Energy generated can be sold directly to the building with surplus sold to the grid. Stakeholder investors can be the building leaseholders or other local homeowners such as heritage houses difficult to solarise. Solar generation income will offset heritage house energy consumption bills.
-ACAN CA toolkit p.73
The same concept could be applied to heat generation whereby a large communal (community) heat pump is installed.
Solution 2: The LPA can agree to develop a Supplementary Planning Document/Guidance or a Consent Order that is agreed between SCC planning, Historic Environment Officer, and HCE Ltd. This would include “approved” technical and aesthetic guidance for residents that would mean that both the SCC Historic Environment Officerand HCE Ltd would allow this specification without needing planning permission.
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