A family member recently purchased a grade 11 flat, in the planning office archived files of 20 yrs ago photos of the flat/house can be found which shows the house was fitted with upvc windows. Also in the same file there are later letters to conveyancing solicitors stating there are no outstanding planning matters to our knowledge. The planning officers and conservation officers of 20 yrs ago must have consider no action was necessary.
One of the other flat dwellers recently inquired about another matter involving a site visit from a conservation officer who spotted the upvc windows and threats of lawfulness, fines or even imprisonment started to arrive. To keep the council happy and to abide by the law that states present owners of listed property are for the time being custodians of national heritage, planning and conservation application have been made and permission granted to replace the UPVC windows with sash windows hand made to fit the window openings. As you can imagine at great expense.
The council have been contacted to ask why they did not act twenty years ago, why wait to now, but the answers are vague. My contention is, this is a council failing to act appropriately at the time they knew of the UPVC windows, but they imply they can take for ever to act.
Can any one shed a light on time limits please I am wondering if its worth getting the ombudsman involved.
Eric
One of the other flat dwellers recently inquired about another matter involving a site visit from a conservation officer who spotted the upvc windows and threats of lawfulness, fines or even imprisonment started to arrive. To keep the council happy and to abide by the law that states present owners of listed property are for the time being custodians of national heritage, planning and conservation application have been made and permission granted to replace the UPVC windows with sash windows hand made to fit the window openings. As you can imagine at great expense.
The council have been contacted to ask why they did not act twenty years ago, why wait to now, but the answers are vague. My contention is, this is a council failing to act appropriately at the time they knew of the UPVC windows, but they imply they can take for ever to act.
Can any one shed a light on time limits please I am wondering if its worth getting the ombudsman involved.
Eric