Belsize Society members will have a chance to discuss how Council retrofit policies are evolving at a meeting to be co-hosted with Retrofit Kentish Town (RKT) in March. This is a new collaboration. RKT has been active for 18 months. A number of BelSoc members have taken part in their meetings and found them useful and informative.
Locally, the Camden Climate Fund (CCF) is being re-launched. Grants of up to 50% costs are to be available for heat pumps, solar panels and solar thermal (for hot water). To help people apply Camden is offering free pre-application advice.
On the question of retrofitting and balancing heritage constraints, Camden has been training its staff on how updated guidelines from Historic England and the recent National Planning Policy Framework 2024 can be interpreted a little more flexibly in favour of retrofit.
The joint meeting with RTK will give Camden a chance to explain to us what is changing and to listen to residents’ views and answer questions. It is likely to be at Kentish Town Library. The details are still being agreed. An email will be sent to members as soon as they are finalised.