Historic England has launched a new report at UKREiiF, which provides small and medium-sized developers with clear guidance on repurposing historic buildings for housing.

Commissioned by Historic England and drafted by Deloitte, Heritage Works for Housing offers comprehensive and expert insight into the benefits and challenges of transforming historic buildings into residential use, as well as providing practical step-by-step guidance at all stages of the process.

Redeveloping historic buildings can help address the housing shortage in England and contribute to net zero by capitalising on existing embodied carbon. Historic buildings are also attractive to buyers with properties worth up to 10% more just through their proximity to a listed building.

Launched earlier today at UKREiiF (21 May), Heritage Works for Housing addresses the challenges of redeveloping historic buildings, providing detailed guidance on all stages of the process, from acquiring the site to occupation and management. This includes expert advice on feasibility testing, stakeholder engagement, heritage appraisal, design development, building consent and ongoing maintenance.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England, said: “This report is a timely and useful guide for developers who want to adapt historic building for new housing.  It shows that historic buildings can offer attractive and sustainable living spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of modern homebuyers, while retaining their heritage significance and special character.

“It was great to have the support of Deloitte, who drew on their in-depth experience of delivering housing in historic buildings when drafting the report.”

View the report at: https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/HeritageWorksForHousing