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Plastic plight

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Catherine Deshayes

UPVC windows and doors are the 21^st Century blight and one of my all-time pet-hates - and now new research from English Heritage has found that one in seven of the country's conservation areas at risk because of them - as their special characters and appearances are being eroded by the plastic monsters...

Conservation areas are designated as such by local councils in a bid to protect their unique character and aesthetic appeal. But whilst England has a plentiful supply of these areas - 9,300 to be precise - many of them are being damaged or left to fall into disrepair.

The latest edition of English Heritage's annual Heritage at Risk register has revealed that a whopping one in seven areas is ‘at risk.' English Heritage is the advisor on the historic environment for the Government and it found the top threat by far was the rash of plastic windows and doors that have sprouted up all over the country. Eighty-three per cent of areas were affected by these.

English Heritage's Chief Executive, Dr Simon Thurley said, "I'm afraid conservation areas are suffering a plague of plastic windows. It's one of the biggest changes to come over them in the last 10 years. It's a very big issue."

Poorly maintained roads and pavements, street clutter, satellite dishes, roof alterations and badly done extensions were also considered to be having a negative impact on the appearance of the areas. Neglected green spaces were another culprit.

English Heritage has spoken out against removing or damaging original features on properties, particularly on houses located in conservation areas.

Based on the findings of the survey, English Heritage is launching a Conservation Areas at Risk campaign to get residents, local groups and councils working together to improve these special places before it is too late.

Simon Thurley added, "Analysing the results it is clear the problems fall into two main areas: what owners do to their properties and what councils do or fail to do to the streets, pavements, parks and public spaces.

"So, we are asking for three things. First, we want councils to make more use of Article 4 Directions - only 13 per cent of conservation areas currently have one - to protect small but important original details such as windows, doors and front gardens.

"Secondly, we want council departments to work together to take better care of the public areas. Highways and Environmental Services teams, even Health and Education departments whose buildings often dominate a conservation area, they all need to co-operate to save the public parts of conservation areas from decay.

"Conservation areas should not just be the responsibility of the council's Conservation Officer.

"Thirdly, we want local people to get involved. Our survey shows that conservation areas with community support are more than twice as likely to have improved over the last three years as those without," he added.

It's not just English Heritage who are against the removal of original features. Estate agents also believe retaining them is important - with 82 per cent saying that they could enhance a property's value.

So think twice before you rip out those drafty old sash windows and replace them with UPVC - perhaps you could consider secondary glazing or a more sympathetic revamp instead.

Picture by Tim

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