Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas

Many traditional homes and properties are now either Listed GI or GII - or are in a Conservation Area, which means that the property has become Subject to an Article 4 Direction made by the Council under the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

General Information

The following information applies to the Replacement of Windows and Doors.

Secondary Double Glazing does not generally fall within the scope of these Regulations and is usually exempt.

If your property is in a Conservation Area or is a Listed Building, you will normally require planning permission before the works can commence.

We can talk with you about the proposed works before an application is made and advise as to whether it is likely to be accepted based upon the many Conservation Area and Listed Building installations that we have undertaken over the years.

Listed Buildings

Case Study

Before you commence any work you will require Listed Building Planning Permission.

It is always advisable in the first instance to have an informal discussion with the Planning Officer and possibly arrange a site visit, as he or she will usually be able to tell you what is likely to be acceptable, thus possibly avoiding the cost of a failed Planning Application.

Based upon the results of this, you should then be in a position to make a Planning Application that should be approved.

You will probably be required to keep the replacement windows single glazed, manufactured from the same type of original frame materials and in the same style, possibly with 6mm &/or Low E rather than standard 4mm float glass and with full draught proofing.

Ultimately this will be dependent upon the Grade of listing, the reason for listing and the decision of the Planning Committee.

If the existing windows are not the original ones that the property was built with, then you will usually be required to replace as above, using the designs and type of frame materials that the property was originally built with.


Conservation Areas

Most Local Authorities will have both a designated Conservation Area Planning Officer and often (but by no means always) will also have a published specification for each conservation area.

For information call your Local Authority Planning Department and ask to speak to the Conservation Area Planning Officer, who should be able to fully advise you of the requirements for your particular Conservation Area.

In most Conservation Areas you will be allowed to replace your windows with new ones that match the original designs, are manufactured from the same type of frame materials and you will usually be able to upgrade to Double-Glazed Sealed Units with full Draught Proofing.

If the existing windows are not the original ones that the property was built with, then you will normally be required to replace as above, using the designs and type of frame materials that the property was originally built with.

Again you will usually be able to upgrade to Double-Glazed Sealed Units with full Draught Proofing.

Timescales

Conservation Area and Listed Building Planning Applications will usually be heard at the monthly Planning Committee Meeting.

Depending upon when your application is made and how full your local authority's planning list is, your application will probably take between 6 and 8 weeks.

However please note that some authorities are busier than others and may have a backlog so to be on the safe side, allow 3 months.

If your application is refused or you are asked to amend and resubmit it, the process will take longer.


How Can We Help?

We can be involved with you from the very earliest stage of your project and if you wish we can make the planning application for you on your behalf and follow it through to completion, as follows:

• Fill out the application forms
• Prepare the drawings
• Make all the necessary copies
• Submit the application with the correct fees
• Correspond & liaise with the council to find out when the application will be heard
• Find suitable solutions with the planning officer if they are unhappy with any aspect of the proposed works
• Amend and resubmit applications
• Liase through to completion and acceptance
• Liaison with Building Control during the Installation
• Give Notice to FENSA for Issue to You of the Certificate of Compliance

Costs

Our planning application service is based upon the local authority fees plus a modest administrative charge and will typically be about half the cost of using an architect.


Listed Building Application & Installation - Case Study

Case Study