Hampshire parish councillor Timothy Guiness has mounted a test case in the High Court over whether he should be allowed to fit double glazing in his listed farmhouse at Ellisfield
Timothy Guinness said planning authorities showed ‘prejudice’ about double glazing in listed properties because designs had moved on since the windows were restricted to ‘frightful PVC’., attacking what he brands as a ‘prejudice’ by planners against allowing double glazed windows in listed buildings.
His application for listed building consent to replace the windows was initially refused by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in September 2013, on the basis that the proposal would harm the historic character, appearance and significance of the property.
In June, the inspector rejected the couple’s appeal, finding that the proposed timber windows would be ‘bulky’ in comparison to the existing metal frames.
Though she accepted that the Crittall windows at the property are of ‘very poor quality’, she found that the proposed windows would be of an equally poor design.
Lawyers representing communities secretary Eric Pickles argued that the inspector had been entitled to reach the decision she did in the exercise of her planning judgment.
