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As a building manager for a group specialising in listed and conservation homes for rent, I had to smile at this proposal.

I have just completed a refurbishment on a 17th-century thatched cottage which needed repairs and improvements to be re-let. I had applied to fit an insulated concrete slab to the ground floor with internal dry-lining for energy efficiency, as well as a heating installation. After the usual planning delays, the proposal was rejected out of hand and we were forced to lay an un-insulated stone slab floor, with no dry-lining. Double glazing is banned as the frames are listed, so only secondary can be used.

I have just achieved a G energy rating for one small studio property, which is thatched with solid floors and walls and electric heating. One suggested improvement was to install low-voltage lighting, but with only three light bulbs in the house what savings would there be? A second idea was to install a wind turbine – not much likelihood of success there, as the property is lower than all the surrounding buildings in the middle of a conservation area and is listed.

We need to decide what is important: the planet, or keeping listed properties looking like they were in the 17th Century

John Webster

We need to decide what is important: the planet or keeping listed properties looking like they were in the 17th century.

John Webster, Buccleuch ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV Services