New rules put forward by a local authority will mean developers must explore the option to retrofit before demolishing buildings.

Westminster City Council says the move will accelerate the upgrading of commercial buildings to meet the modern standards demanded by today’s businesses, cut carbon emissions and help the city become net zero by 2040.

The proposed policy will be consulted on from March 14 for six weeks, as part of a review of the council’s City Plan, the document which shapes the built environment and sets policies for development in Westminster.

The partial review of the City Plan:

  • Puts forward a bespoke policy establishing a retrofit-first approach and clear guidance to developers
  • Supports the delivery of more genuinely affordable housing by prioritising social over intermediate housing in new developments
  • Requires all new residential developments to contribute to affordable housing
  • Identifies four brownfield sites in the city and supports the improvement of these areas with mixed-use development proposals.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “We will not reach net zero without a significant shift in how we view development.

“That is why we are introducing one of the nation’s first retrofit policies, promoting sustainable growth by encouraging commercial and residential buildings to be refurbished to the latest standards rather than demolished and replaced with new ones. The policy supports the great work the real estate industry has done to understand how to repurpose buildings to be eco-friendly and attractive to investors, office-workers and people looking for a new home.”