Is Westminster pushing retrofit first?
27.06.2024
Written by Ben Holmes
Associate Director
Is retrofit finally gaining traction in London?
See Westminster City Council’s proposed Policy 43, Retrofit First.
The City of Westminster launched a partial review of their adopted City Plan. This included new policies on affordable housing, retrofitting and site allocations. The City Plan Partial Review Regulation 19 consultation ran from 14 March 2024 to 9 May 2024.
We were invited and have responded to the policy.
Here’s our breakdown.
Two reasons why we endorse the policy
- It supports decarbonising the built environment
The Retrofit First policy advocates for retrofitting and retaining existing buildings before considering demolition. This is a big deal. It marks a progressive step change in London’s urban planning.
This approach is essential in reducing the environmental impact of construction activities, particularly in terms of carbon emissions. By prioritising retrofit, we can extend the life of existing structures, conserve resources, and mitigate the carbon footprint associated with new builds. - It has a global and local approach
The policy aligns with the global focus to combat climate change and enhances the quality of life for communities. This is done by preserving the character and functionality of existing buildings.
Three clarifications and improvements we’d like to see
- We need to clearly define public benefits
A key aspect of the policy is requiring justification for demolition. This is done through a comprehensive appraisal of construction options, assessing the carbon cost and public benefits of refurbishment versus new build options.
However, clarity is needed in defining what constitutes ‘public benefits’. We’d like to see detailed guidance within the policy to ensure planning applications can effectively demonstrate the broader social and environmental advantages of retrofit over demolition. - We need to set reuse targets
This policy would benefit from a target for reuse, a set percentage of demolition waste.
In our experience, a target of ~10% of demolition materials to be directly reused (on- or off-site) or shared via a second-hand salvage/reuse marketplace is a reasonable starting point (this could be increased over time). A target would increase the supply of materials in the second-hand market, supporting a circular economy. - We need clearer guidance for developer implementation
To support the implementation of the policy, we need clearer and more detailed guidance.
This includes:
— Setting out how whole-life carbon calculations should be carried out and verified
— Defining independent structural engineers’ reports
— Clarifying the expectations for sustainable design statements and retrofit plans
Such clarity will enable developers to meet policy requirements more efficiently and consistently.
