Agenda item

10.1

The Director of Development Services submitted a report informing Members of a breach of the planning regulations in relation to the installation of UPVC windows at 352 Sharrow Lane within the Nether Edge Conservation Area.

10.2

The report stated that a complaint, from a member of the public, was received on 29 October 2014 concerning the installation of new UPVC windows in the Sharrow Lane elevation of the ground floor flat.

10.3

A site visit was made that same day and the contractors, who were installing the windows, were advised that the property was in a conservation area; and that because of this, the replacement of the existing timber box sash window with UPVC frame would not be considered as acceptable by the Local Planning Authority. They were also advised to stop work until a further site meeting could be arranged to discuss this matter with the property owner.

10.4

Following this initial visit, the property owner was contacted and made aware of the situation, and a further site meeting was arranged to discuss the situation.

10.5

The site meeting took place on 27 November 2014 where it was explained to the owner that because the property was situated in the Nether Edge Article 4 and Conservation Area, any replacement windows that were installed would have to be in timber and match the style of the original sliding box sash window, in spite of the fact the windows on the first and second floors had been replaced with UPVC frame approximately 12 years ago.

10.6

A further meeting took place in January 2015 between the owner, planning enforcement officers and a conservation officer in which further help and advice was offered on how the matter could be resolved in a manner that would be acceptable to all parties involved. However, to date, the owner has declined to replace the UPVC frames with ones that would be more in keeping with the historic character of the Conservation Area.

10.7

RESOLVED: That (a) the Director of Regeneration and Development Services or Head of Planning be authorised to take any appropriate action including, if necessary, enforcement action and the institution of legal proceedings to secure the removal of the unauthorised UPVC window frames at 352 Sharrow Lane and their replacement with more acceptable timber sliding box sash windows; and

(b) the Head of Planning, in liaison with a Joint Chair of this Committee, be authorised to vary the action authorised in order to achieve the objectives hereby confirmed, including taking action to resolve any associated breaches of planning control.