THE STOREY – CONSULTATION ON THE DECARBONISATION PROJECT

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Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Lancaster City Council has been working to reduce its CO2 emissions. As part of the commitment to achieve net zero by 2030, and to reduce its energy bills to more sustainable levels, the Council has been delivering a programme of building decarbonisation measures, supported by some external funding (Salix) via the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

The measures and timings for the work align with the Council's adopted (and published) Building Energy Decarbonisation Plan 2022. The Plan seeks to reduce natural gas emissions across the Council’s buildings, and it seeks to transition to electronically powered heat pumps, solar photovoltaics and other building fabric improvements. Each Council building will have its own, bespoke proposals for this transition.

The Storey is a Grade II listed building and located within the Lancaster Conservation Area. It accommodates several small businesses, a café, galleries and exhibition areas, workshops. It is also one of the largest emitters of CO2 within the Council’s estate. Proposals have therefore been developed to decarbonise this building.

The Decarbonisation Measures for The Storey

The proposals include:

Fabric Retrofit Works, comprising of:

  • Introduction of secondary glazing throughout;
  • Insulating the loft space.

Building Services Upgrades, comprising of:

  • Replacing the existing gas boilers with air source heat pumps: A key carbon saving opportunity is to decarbonise the delivery of space heating, which is currently served by 2 gas fired boilers located in the basement. The boilers have reached the end of their serviceable life, and there is scope to replace them with non-fossil fuel technology.
  • Replacing the existing light fixtures with LED lighting: The majority of the existing lighting is fluorescent. There is a significant opportunity to reduce energy by replacing these fittings with LED luminaires.
  • Building energy management system (BEMS) upgrades: The building is currently controlled using a Building Management System (BMS) system. The new system will replicate the existing but rather than controlling the gas boilers, the new BMS system will control the Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) allowing the system to optimise efficiency.
  • Introducing variable speed drives: All pumps will operate using variable speed drives to allow the system to respond swiftly to changes in demand and to save energy and reduce operating costs.

When considered collectively, these measures will ensure the building operates more smartly and is more sustainable and energy efficient.

Have Your Say

We would like your views regarding the proposed Storey Decarbonisation project.

You can have your say below and view the following proposed planning application documents to the right of this page.

  • A Garden Plan illustrating the proposed changes;
  • A Heritage, Design & Access Statement; and
  • A Noise Impact Report

Following the close of the consultation and prior to the planning and listed building application processes, we will review all the comments that we receive, consider any changes that may be necessary to the proposals, and we will summarise the main issues in a consultation statement that will be submitted as part of the applications.

Drop in event

In addition to the above consultation, there is an opportunity to view the decarbonisation proposals in person and discuss them with the project lead. This event will take place in The Storey on Friday 20 June 2025 from 10am to 2pm. We hope to see you there.

Consultation on the proposed decarbonisation projects will close 12 noon on Friday 27 June 2025.

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Lancaster City Council has been working to reduce its CO2 emissions. As part of the commitment to achieve net zero by 2030, and to reduce its energy bills to more sustainable levels, the Council has been delivering a programme of building decarbonisation measures, supported by some external funding (Salix) via the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

The measures and timings for the work align with the Council's adopted (and published) Building Energy Decarbonisation Plan 2022. The Plan seeks to reduce natural gas emissions across the Council’s buildings, and it seeks to transition to electronically powered heat pumps, solar photovoltaics and other building fabric improvements. Each Council building will have its own, bespoke proposals for this transition.

The Storey is a Grade II listed building and located within the Lancaster Conservation Area. It accommodates several small businesses, a café, galleries and exhibition areas, workshops. It is also one of the largest emitters of CO2 within the Council’s estate. Proposals have therefore been developed to decarbonise this building.

The Decarbonisation Measures for The Storey

The proposals include:

Fabric Retrofit Works, comprising of:

  • Introduction of secondary glazing throughout;
  • Insulating the loft space.

Building Services Upgrades, comprising of:

  • Replacing the existing gas boilers with air source heat pumps: A key carbon saving opportunity is to decarbonise the delivery of space heating, which is currently served by 2 gas fired boilers located in the basement. The boilers have reached the end of their serviceable life, and there is scope to replace them with non-fossil fuel technology.
  • Replacing the existing light fixtures with LED lighting: The majority of the existing lighting is fluorescent. There is a significant opportunity to reduce energy by replacing these fittings with LED luminaires.
  • Building energy management system (BEMS) upgrades: The building is currently controlled using a Building Management System (BMS) system. The new system will replicate the existing but rather than controlling the gas boilers, the new BMS system will control the Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) allowing the system to optimise efficiency.
  • Introducing variable speed drives: All pumps will operate using variable speed drives to allow the system to respond swiftly to changes in demand and to save energy and reduce operating costs.

When considered collectively, these measures will ensure the building operates more smartly and is more sustainable and energy efficient.

Have Your Say

We would like your views regarding the proposed Storey Decarbonisation project.

You can have your say below and view the following proposed planning application documents to the right of this page.

  • A Garden Plan illustrating the proposed changes;
  • A Heritage, Design & Access Statement; and
  • A Noise Impact Report

Following the close of the consultation and prior to the planning and listed building application processes, we will review all the comments that we receive, consider any changes that may be necessary to the proposals, and we will summarise the main issues in a consultation statement that will be submitted as part of the applications.

Drop in event

In addition to the above consultation, there is an opportunity to view the decarbonisation proposals in person and discuss them with the project lead. This event will take place in The Storey on Friday 20 June 2025 from 10am to 2pm. We hope to see you there.

Consultation on the proposed decarbonisation projects will close 12 noon on Friday 27 June 2025.

  • Have Your Say

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Page last updated: 15 Jun 2025, 10:08 AM