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.
“It would also set a precedent on a terrace where the majority of the windows are constructed in timber and that that could result in a cumulative harm to the area. This harm would be more pronounced in Barrow Bridge given that all the terraces are listed, and thereby one precedent would kick start a progressive change to UPVC to the overall detriment of the architectural and historic special interest.
“Members are therefore recommended to refuse the application for UPVC windows.”
Ward councillor Roger Hayes has backed the application and requested it be considered at full planning committee on the basis that there are severe problems installing traditional wooden windows in such properties due to the moisture content of the stone.
He added that there are now UPVC windows which give a realistic traditional timber effect and they would be used for the project. The committee will consider the plans on Thursday, August 18.
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