Main image: empty apartment room renovation, before and after restoration / refurbishment
Refurbishing old buildings reduces emissions – but outdated tax rates make it expensive
Existing buildings already embody significant CO₂ emissions, which makes it all the more important to upgrade and refurbish – rather than demolish and rebuild – wherever possible. But as it stands, the UK’s tax system actually puts a significant financial penalty on refurbishment, while incentivising new construction. It's time for that to change, says Walter Menteth...

Walter is a director of Walter Menteth Architects, Project Compass CIC, a senior lecturer (p/t) at Portsmouth school of Architecture, an RIBA National Councillor, chair of the trustees of the North Southwark Environment Trust, and was a member of the Cabinet Office SME Panel 2011-2015, and Chair of the RIBA Procurement Reform Group 2011-2013.
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