Wrong windows prove a pane in the glass for Jedburgh home-owner

Four windows fitted at Anthony Williams’ two-storey home in Exchange Street will now have to be removed after planning officers insisted that the white uPVC is in breach of conservation area policy.

His retrospective planning application was turned down by Scottish Borders Council planners in July, and a subsequent appeal against that rejection met the same fate at a meeting, via video-link, of the authority’s local review body this week.

“The applicant wasn’t aware they needed permission,” principal planning officer Craig Miller said.

“They point out that the building is not listed and is on the edge of the conservation area. They also point out that the other windows in the building to the right don’t conform either and also are suggesting they could move the windows back behind the stone.”

Prior to moving in last April, Mr Williams bought the building from the council with permission in place to turn it into a residential property.

However, by removing the white sash-and-case-style mid rail windows and replacing then with uPVC tilt and turn-in one, he fell foul of conservation area rules.

East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullarton said: “The issue here is it’s a conservation area. The depth of the sash and case is not reflected in the new design, and trying to move the window behind the stone, as offered, would not be feasible.

“The impact on the conservation area is relevant. When it comes to conservation areas, the onus on us is to improve and preserve.“

His ward counterpart Helen Laing added: “Sadly, this application is retrospective and that’s a shame. Clearly the applicant wasn’t aware they need permission, so it’s unfortunate that money has been spent on this project, but the windows don’t look right here and don’t respect the conservation area.”

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton moved to sway the committee into looking the other way, however.

“The applicant has pointed out a neighbouring property which has similar design features, but two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said.

“However, this site is not in the prime frontage area and there are different designs on varying properties. There is context for these windows.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Neil Richards agreed, arguing: “Next door has also fitted uPVC windows, and what’s good for one is surely good for the other.”

Mr Hamilton’s motion to overturn the decision was outvoted by five to three, though.

Mr Williams is now required to replace the offending windows with ones compliant with conservation area policies.

More from this week’s local review body meeting here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/people/plans-home-disused-sawmill-site-earlston-split-opinion-2872930

More Jedburgh news here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/education/criticism-leads-borders-school-get-rid-inappropriate-links-website-2871828