Argument over council 'ban' on UPVC windows at model village

A council’s policy on improving and repairing listed buildings is set to be tested this week when a decision is made on a home in a model village. Planners is Bolton are recommending refusal of an application to refurbish a home in the hamlet of Barrow Bridge, to the north of the town as they say it would ‘diminish the heritage significance of a listed building’.

The row centres on an application from he owner of a terraced house on Fourth Street to replace worn out timber window frames with UPVC material. In a report to councillors who are set to decide on the issue later this week, Bolton’s planning department set out their case.

They said Barrow Bridge is a model village dating from 1830 and the terraces are all grade II listed. The council said here has been change over the last few decades to replace windows with timber sliding sashes to better reflect the traditional character of the buildings and in line with guidance set out in the conservation area appraisal for the village.

The planning report said allowing a change to UPVC windows would set ‘an undesirable precedent’. The report, added: “It would reverse the uplift and conservation standards that have been maintained over the years as well as undermine the appearance and significance of the heritage assets.

“Timber is also a more sustainable and appropriate conservation material which allows the building to breathe and can be maintained to last longer than UPVC. The replacement of the windows would create a contrasting aesthetic and introduce a material which visually contrasts with the historic appearance of the listed buildings.

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“It would also set a