Swindon council housing in Railway Village set for energy-efficient upgrades
Listed Victorian cottages to receive modern improvements while preserving historic character
Over 300 Victorian workers’ cottages in Swindon’s historic Railway Village are set to be upgraded to improve energy efficiency and comfort for residents following approval by the council’s planning department.
Originally built in the 19th century for workers of the Great Western Railway, the listed buildings are now council housing and require significant updates to meet modern living standards.
The council’s housing team will retrofit new doors, windows, roofs, and ventilation systems, while carefully ensuring that all changes preserve the architectural and historic character of the area.
According to the planning application, surveys of the properties revealed deficiencies in roof coverings and windows, as well as ventilation problems in kitchens and bathrooms. These issues have contributed to damp and mould in many of the homes.
Non-original windows will be replaced with heritage-appropriate designs and original windows will receive secondary glazing. Rear doors will be replaced with wooden, more insulated options, while front doors in need of replacement will form part of an ongoing programme.
Other upgrades include roofs fitted with real slate tiles and bat-friendly membranes, new black aluminium gutters and drainpipes, improved external wall plaster, and the replacement of lime mortar to prevent damp. Ventilation systems will also be installed to help air escape more effectively.
Outbuilding doors will be restored, repainted, or replaced as required to match the cottage style, and plastic gutters and downpipes will be swapped for heritage aluminium alternatives.
A report from planning officers stated that while the changes will alter aspects of the properties’ fabric, they are deemed necessary for the buildings’ long-term use and preservation.
“Officers are satisfied that the works proposed will preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building. Whilst the fabric of the listed properties is proposed to be amended from its current form, causing a degree of harm, it is considered that this harm is less than substantial and is outweighed by the public benefits gained, as well as improving the buildings’ long-term security,” the report concluded.
This project marks a significant effort by Swindon Borough Council to balance the conservation of a historic area with the need for improved living standards and energy-saving measures in its council housing stock.