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#conservationareas

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A.Stringer<p>&quot;As a city dating back at least 800 years, <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/Sheffield" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Sheffield</span></a> has an incredibly rich &amp; culturally important <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/history" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>history</span></a>. From <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/SheffieldCastle" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>SheffieldCastle</span></a> to the <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/industrialrevolution" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>industrialrevolution</span></a> right the way up to the modern day, the city has made its mark on the world.</p><p><a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/SheffieldCityCouncil" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>SheffieldCityCouncil</span></a> is now beginning the process of looking into how that <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/heritage" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>heritage</span></a> can be preserved, especially around six <a href="https://mstdn.social/tags/conservationareas" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>conservationareas</span></a>. </p><p>Council launches Conservation Area Appraisals across six areas | Sheffield City Council<br /><a href="https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/news/2025/council-launches-conservation-area-appraisals-across-six-areas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">sheffield.gov.uk/news/2025/cou</span><span class="invisible">ncil-launches-conservation-area-appraisals-across-six-areas</span></a></p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Final: The definition of "character" of a conservation area is rather a fuzzy one.</p><p>Yet, while the concept of what makes up character is rather fuzzy, the restrictions that come with conservation area status are sharp. </p><p>And they have social costs given the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateCrisis" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateCrisis</span></a>.</p><p>True <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/Conservatism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Conservatism</span></a> would reconnect with the original idea that <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> serve as barrier to rapid change in the lived environment.</p><p>The <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateCrisis" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateCrisis</span></a> is such a threat. And so <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> need a rethink.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Tenth: Has the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/retrofit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>retrofit</span></a> gap changed? </p><p>Yes, for the worse! </p><p>Dont get me wrong: properties outside conservation areas are also very energy <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/inefficient" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>inefficient</span></a>. But, there has been some improvement.</p><p>The rate of improvement outside <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> is faster than inside. And so, I document that the retrofit gap actually has *widened*.</p><p>Conservation area properties are falling behind.</p><p>Now, why does that happen?</p><p>Well, because the planning restrictions pose additional barriers.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Ninth: Why are properties inside <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> less <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/EnergyEfficient" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>EnergyEfficient</span></a> ?</p><p>The comparison is based on like-for-like properties. I also zoomed in on areas where typically similar people live (demography).</p><p>A closer look at the data reveals what a very significant culprit is: a <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/retrofit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>retrofit</span></a> gap that is particularly driven by three things</p><p>a) less wall <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/insulation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>insulation</span></a> <br>b) much worse <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/windows" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>windows</span></a> <br>c) fewer Solar PV installations.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Eighth: I then compare the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/EnergyEfficiency" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>EnergyEfficiency</span></a> and actual <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/EnergyConsumption" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>EnergyConsumption</span></a> data.</p><p>Well, how <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/EnergyEfficient" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>EnergyEfficient</span></a> are the properties inside?</p><p>This can be visuaized nicely as a regression discontinuity plot that <span class="h-card"><a href="https://econtwitter.net/@jburnmurdoch" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@<span>jburnmurdoch</span></a></span> picked up for the Financial Times.</p><p>What this showcases is that inside <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> properties use </p><p>a) around 1000 kWh more in natural gas and </p><p>b) around 200 kWh more in electricity (electric heating)</p><p>per year.</p><p>Where is this difference coming from?</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Seventh: Research methodology. I employ about four different methods which all show similar results.</p><p>The easiest to explain is a matching approach. For each property that is physically located inside a <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a>, I find a comparison property that is also</p><p>a) within 500 m of the boundary </p><p>b) that is *identical* in terms of their built-form, construction age, listed building status, tenure, property type, council tax band </p><p>c) at least VERY similar in size, <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/rooms" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>rooms</span></a> and property value.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Sixth: I quantify for millions of properties.</p><p>a) the existing <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/retrofit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>retrofit</span></a> gap of homes inside <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a>.</p><p>b) I show that this retrofit gap is widening because of the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/planning" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>planning</span></a> restrictions</p><p>c) that there may be other knock on effects with planning processes for properties inside conservation areas clogging planning departments in local authorities.</p><p>So let me explain a bit how I do this as the research methodology is important and also cool.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Fourth: What has happened since? Well, <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/GlobalHeating" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>GlobalHeating</span></a> and <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateChange" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateChange</span></a> are now a much bigger threat to the Lived Environment.</p><p>Its threatening the viability of life as we know it on this planet. </p><p>And so, <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/Conservatism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Conservatism</span></a> that was expressed in the original idea behind <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> -- to be a barrier to rapid change of the lived environment -- should now spring to <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateAction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateAction</span></a>.</p><p>And many residents want to. But here is the snag. Conservation areas pose multiple barriers to <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateAction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateAction</span></a>.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Third: Why do <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> exist? A small detour into <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/History" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>History</span></a>. </p><p>The 1960s saw the rapid rise of <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/car" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>car</span></a> ownership. This marked the start of the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/carbonization" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>carbonization</span></a> of our economy. </p><p>Urban redevelopment was pushed to make cities "ready for cars". </p><p>But people did not want roads cutting through their communities.</p><p>Conservation arose as *barrier* to this rapid change in the lived environment. </p><p>So: the origin can be traced to opposition against what would become a main driver of <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateChange" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateChange</span></a>.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Second: How many <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> are there? </p><p>Around 10,000. I have data for around 7,500 of them with their exact boundaries.</p><p>These 7,500 cover 239 English local authorities.</p><p>They cover around 2 million residential properties or around 10% of the residential homes.</p><p>Its a big deal: in some places like <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/Islington" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Islington</span></a> more than 50% of the housing stock is covered by a <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/conservation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>conservation</span></a> area. </p><p>The bulk have been established prior to 1995, but there have been some new designations.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>First: What are <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> </p><p>Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 defines conservation areas as </p><p>"areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. </p><p>Local planning authorities have the statutory duty to identify, designate, preserve and enhance conservation areas while undertaking their planning duties.</p><p>Conservation Areas are nowadays NOT primarily about listed buildings.</p>
Thiemo Fetzer<p>Tackling the <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateCrisis" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateCrisis</span></a> is hard and there are many barriers to <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/Climate" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Climate</span></a> action.</p><p>My new research showcases how <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a></p><p>a) have large quantifyable effects on <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/carbon" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>carbon</span></a> <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/CO2" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CO2</span></a> <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/emissions" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>emissions</span></a></p><p>b) impede individual <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateAction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateAction</span></a> </p><p>c) turn the original idea of what <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> were meant to be on its head</p><p>"Regulatory barriers to <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ClimateAction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateAction</span></a>: evidence from <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/ConservationAreas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ConservationAreas</span></a> in England" </p><p>📰 <a href="http://bit.ly/3jIISli" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="">bit.ly/3jIISli</span><span class="invisible"></span></a><br> <br>I also reflect a bit on the idea of <a href="https://econtwitter.net/tags/Conservatism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Conservatism</span></a>.</p>
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