Officer Planning Report

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:120027}} {{table:120028}} {{table:120029}} {{table:120030}} ### Considerations ### Written Representations ### Consultations ### Policy

Officer's Report

The property is an existing detached cottage which sits within St. Mark's Conservation Area opposite Church Cottage on the eastern side of the hamlet.

The cottage is a traditional stone-fronted cottage with timber-framed sliding sash windows which it is proposed to replace with plastic framed ones with the same opening style. The existing windows have horns. The existing windows also have secondary glazing on the inside.

No information is provided as to why the existing windows could not be overhauled/refurbished, Defer for Conservation Officer's report. CONSERVATION OFFICER'S REPORT.

Victoria Cottage is located around the central triangle in the St, Marks Conservation Area. This proposal is to replace the existing painted timber sliding (with horns) sash with uPVC sliding sash (notably without horns). The existing painted timber sliding sash have an elegant quality due to the fine detailing of the horns, glazing bars and readed moulding around the perimeter of the box frame, details that would be lost in the replacement uPVC items.

Planning Circular 1/98 'The Alteration and Replacement of Windows', category b) Conservation Areas, states that 'If the original windows are in place they should be preferably be repaired'. Whilst the proposed windows are sliding sash format, the application does little to explain the necessity to remove and replace.

Defer for consultation with the applicant regarding Grant Funding to repair and or replace if absolutely necessary with painted timber.

I wrote to the applicant on the 11th November outlining my concerns with the application and suggesting that Grant Assistance could be available for the upgrading of the windows or, if proved impracticable, their replacement in painted timber to match the existing. Following the letter, the applicant telephoned and we discussed the matter further. It was my understanding that he was to withdraw the application and re-apply for painted timber sliding sash windows. At this time, we have yet to receive any further information as to why the windows require replacing or indeed, the withdrawal of this application.

Conservation Officer's Recommendation: Refuse.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 09.02.2006

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

R 1.

The property is located within a Conservation Area where the Department would generally prefer that existing traditional features such as windows and doors, are retained and refurbished rather than replaced with non-traditional materials or styles (Planning Circular 1/98). The Planning Committee is not satisfied in this case that the existing windows cannot be refurbished and as such are not satisfied that the proposal to introduce plastic framed windows, albeit in the correct opening style but lacking the horns which are presently part of the existing fenestration, would be acceptable.

Note: this refusal is without prejudice for a scheme of refurbishment of the existing windows, which would not require planning permission and for which there may be grant assistance available, or, if the existing windows cannot be refurbished, a planning application for the replacement of the existing with timber-framed sliding sashes detailed to match the existing windows.

9 February 2006 05/01902/B Page 3 of 3