An effective ban on replacing windows in West Lothian conservation areas is set to end under plans to help make it easier for residents to improve their properties with double glazing.
The original policy on replacement windows dates back to the late 1990s - and make it both difficult and in most case prohibitively expensive to fit new windows.
The existing rules are blunt, stating: “Traditional timber windows shall be used on all elevations. Any change in design, details or material will not be considered acceptable.”
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The 1998 policy recommends alternatives to replacement including repair or secondary glazing. Almost all alterations require a building warrant.
The new proposals however recognise the improvement in design and manufacture of double glazing units,
The proposals already have the backing of senior councillors from the two major political parties and the chair of the Development Management Committee, Independent councillor Stuart Borrowman
There are ten conservation areas stretching from Gowanbank estate in the west of the county to Kirknewton on the boundary with Edinburgh.
Aside from obvious areas such as Linlithgow there are also designated conservation areas in towns including Uphall, Broxburn and Livingston Village. Large parts of the former Bangour Hospital are also protected as conservation areas.
Senior planning officer Steve Lovell outlined proposals to a meeting of the The Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (PDSP) this week.
He told the meeting that planning guidance in place on replacement windows was not statutory and could be updated without the need for approval by the Scottish Government.
He added: “The new guidance begins from a clearer starting point which emphasises that traditional windows should only be replaced if there is sufficient justification that they are irreparable and it places the onus on the applicant to evidence this.
He added: “While the guidance maintains a strong presumption in favour of retaining historic windows in listed buildings, it accepts the principal of allowing for the installation of higher quality double glazed units depending on circumstances and also takes a more nuanced and pragmatic approach to the alteration and replacement of existing windows in buildings in parts of conservation areas where this can be justified.
“This distinction is in part an acknowledgement of the improvements achieved in the design and quality of new windows products over recent years.”
Councillor Borrowman, whose ward has conservation areas in the Gowanbank estate near Westfield and the village of Torphichen told the PDSP: “This is well written and I think the planners are taking an approach of protecting the essentials and, where appropriate, taking a pragmatic view and reflecting changes in technology and so on. I think the planners are headed in the right direction.”
Councill Miller said that having seen the issues that people had had with proposals over the years, a more practical policy on window replacement “seems like a good step forward.”
Chairing the meeting, Labour's depute council leader Councillor KIrsteen Sullivan agreed and called the proposals "pragmatic and common sense".
The draft policy will go for public consultation before a final decision is taken and can be found on the council’s website.
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