Draft Retrofit Handbook - how to make your building more energy efficient
***20 January 2025: Please note the draft Retrofit Handbook has been updated to include live links for the Guide to Repairing and Upgrading Windows in Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas and Islington Permitted Development Guide for Net Zero Works plus a version of the Interactive Retrofit Handbook you can view without downloading.****
What are we seeking your views on?
We are committed to reducing carbon emissions from existing buildings in Islington, and to supporting people to adapt their buildings to the changing climate.
Retrofitting means making changes to an existing building to reduce energy consumption and to improve how the building retains heat.
The Retrofit Handbook provides step-by-step advice for residents looking to make energy-saving upgrades to their properties. From draught-proofing and loft insulation to solar panel installations, the handbook is designed to support local people at every stage of their retrofit journey.
The Retrofit Handbook offers clear, practical advice on planning energy-saving upgrades, tailored to Islington’s typical housing types. It also provides guidance on permissions required for retrofitting works, including works to listed buildings and properties in conservation areas.
The Retrofit Handbook can be updated quickly and easily to reflect development in technologies or other changes which may be of relevance.
We are also consulting on a draft Climate Action Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in parallel with the Retrofit Handbook. The SPD sets out detailed planning advice to ensure all developments in Islington meet the borough’s ambitious sustainable design requirements. We are seeking feedback from residents and businesses on this document too, see the Climate Action SPD Let's Talk page for more details.
A summary of the BioRegional retrofit evidence which informed the SPD and the Handbook is provided under the documents section of this page. A summary is provided in order to meet accessibility requirements. A full version of this study is available on request.
What have we done so far?
In June-July 2023 we held public workshops about reducing carbon emissions in the borough to inform the preparation of the Climate Action SPD. Workshops were held with residents and activist groups, architects and planning agents, local housing associations and businesses.
We used feedback from the public workshops to draft a Scoping Paper. This was published for consultation between August-September 2023.
As a result of this engagement and consultation, stakeholder groups told us that detailed information on retrofit measures would be helpful.
This information has informed the development and drafting of the Retrofit Handbook.
Get involved
The consultation period will run 7 January 2025, closing at 11:59pm on 18 February 2025.
There are three ways available to comment:
Complete the survey below; or
Email planningpolicy@islington.gov.uk; or
Respond via post by writing to the following address: Freepost RTXU-ETKU-KECB, Planning Policy, Islington Council 2nd Floor, Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD.
Public Events
We are holding two engagement events where you can join us to share your views on the documents. We ask that you register for only one event so that as many people can get involved in the consultation process as possible.
Tuesday 28 January, 6pm- 8pm Register to attend on Eventbrite here.
Thursday 06 February 7pm- 9pm Register to attend on Eventbrite here
What happens next?
Responses to this consultation will be reviewed and used to inform updates to the handbook before it is published.
Please note that comments will be made publicly available. We will remove names and personal contact information. For more information on the basis on which we process, use and store your information, please refer to the council’s privacy policy: Privacy policy | Let's Talk Islington.
