A recent report by property company Grosvenor, the National Trust, social landlord Peabody, Historic England and the Crown Estate suggests that improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s historic buildings could reduce carbon emissions by up to 5% and generate an estimated £35 billion in economic output, whilst making properties more affordable to heat. The report comes at a time when many historic buildings are falling in to disuse, disrepair and dereliction. This problem is evidenced by Newtown in Powys, an important gateway to Mid Wales, where the train station and its environs have a fine legacy of Victorian architecture and urban design, including Pryce Jones Royal Welsh Warehouse and St David’s Church, but also an air of decay. Indeed, there was a local outcry in 2021 when a historic chapel collapsed due to disrepair, and Newtown residents continue to express concern about support for civic heritage from the relevant authorities. Regeneration of the historic environment would seem an ideal candidate for levelling up in the next round of Powys funding bids to the UK government.

Derelict St David’s Church designed by Thomas Penson