Rutland County Council sign off on new policy that makes replacement of historic windows and doors clear

A new policy promoting repairs over replacement of historic doors and windows has been signed off by Rutland County Council.

The authority’s officers were asked to draw up a new policy document after confusion over what was acceptable in listed buildings and conservation areas and a number of planning appeals.

On Tuesday the leadership of the council approved the new planning policy in an attempt to maintain more timber windows in the county and also reduce the amount of time officers have spent on advising residents.

Cabinet member for planning Paul Browne (Lib Dem) said the new policy is specific to Rutland and he thought it was a ‘landmark’ document that would be copied by other authorities. He said Historic England’s guidance had also been used to inform the new policy.

He said: “Our beautiful county probably has one of the highest ratios of listed buildings and conservation areas in the East Midlands. We have previously produced limited guidance as to the replacement windows and doors which have led to problems for both officers and residents. In particular the extension discussion of our officers in advising and emphasising the need for repairs versus replacement; the commitment of this council to try and use timber in all occasions over UPVC in both listed buildings and conservation areas.

"There has been a lack of clarity about requirements leading to the inevitable entrenchment of subjective views of our applicants, which are time consuming for our officials and leading to appeals, which again occupy time and effort.

"Inspectors on appeals, without reference and guidance from ourselves seem to have made subjective decisions themselves and there are four cases annexed to this document., two where we won and two where we didn't and it just shows that there is flexibility of thought even with those inspectors, unless they have guidance from us.

"So the need has been recognised that this guidance has had to be repaired.”

Cabinet member Christine Wise (Lib Dem) welcomed the document and suggested that it was circulated to builder merchants and other companies that are involved in the build and repair of Rutland’s historic homes.