Conservation Area - Windows Without Permission

bubblegum6000

I live in a conservation area house - we are allowed to install double glazing but not replace the style. So we did this - company came out and replaced the original sashes with exact replicas just double glazed. The council agreed to this too.

I would have thoug that if the style/design of the window is the same the council wont mind!

AdrianC

I suspect that the properties with non-original style windows had probably already had them replaced before the conservation area protection was brought in.

jsb1987

AdrianC wrote: »

I suspect that the properties with non-original style windows had probably already had them replaced before the conservation area protection was brought in.

Yep I realise that now.

notrich

When the area became 'conservation', did you receive a letter from that department? It may be that windows aren't mentioned. We had this letter a few years back and it was very sketchy, clearly penned with little thought. I had new windows post conservation and when I sold the property the fitter just obtained retrospective permission.

regprentice

My father used to sell windows and struggled to convince people in your situation of the need to observe council regs. Especially if others dont appear to

There are a few ways in which i have heard people have had unexpectedly had problems before selling

- other local resident wants same windows as yours.. applies to council..drops you in it.
- local housing officer drives past and notes address of non-compliant windows.
- fall out with neighbours who report you to council out of spite.

This was generally for windows which were non compliant for safety i.e. opening panels allowing escape in case of fire. Easier to see from a distance and a more serious risk for young childrens bedrooms etc.

leveller2911

Different councils apply the rules differently and in our area they wil not allow double glazing at all on the front of a property.At the rear they sometimes allow slimlite double glazing.The frames and sashes must be exact copies of the originals. There can be harsh consequences for ripping out old windows in a conservation area including heavy fines as well as being made to replace the windows again.

I work mainly on old properties and deal with the local authorities regularly and you can even argue that all around your property are Upvc double glazed windows and it will make next to n difference.The thing is conservation areas and designated all the time so even though there are plastic winodws all around its the date that they were fitted that counts.

Without wishing to sound too harsh the OP and other amateur developers should not be allowed near Conservation areas because the damage they cause cannot be repaired.Once we lose the historical context its gone forever.

pleasedelete

Have you actually checked with the council officer. Having lived in 3 conservation areas and 2 national parks (worse) window changes have always been agreed with a phone call. The rule seems to be that as long as someone else has them- so can you.

To assume planning is needed seems a little over the top- you may just need permission and it may just be given on the phone.

We actually restored wooden windows in our last 2 houses replacing UPVC and would love to do it here but at £100k it is not realistic.

jsb1987

Thanks for replies.

On the council document about the conservation area it says 'replacement of repairable original windows will not be permitted'. And 'Enforcement action will be taken against anyone who does this'.

I guess that's pretty black & white. I could perhaps apply for retrospective permission and lie - say that the originals were irreparable.

I just can't imagine that enforcement action would ever be taken, (unless perhaps you have a neighbour who hates you enough to put you in it).

I checked and the Article 4 notice has been in place since 1996. I'm sure some of the pvc must have been done in the last 25 years...

I've lived here 4 months now and there is a house a few yards away that has had bin liners/cardboard boxes for windows since we moved in. I've not seen any enforcement notice on that!

I think I'm going to stick with the indemnity insurance plan. Applying for retrospective permission is too much of a risk. We're planning on replacing a window at the rear of the flat with a door, & also replacing the bedroom window (already bought) too. I was going to cancel both, but think we'll just go ahead now...

Slinky

jsb1987 wrote: »

Are most buyers happy to have the indemnity insurance rather than the planning permission?

Absolutely no chance I would buy your property in this situation.

thesaint

So you have replaced sash windows with non-sash windows.
I think you would have a problem.