This is nothing, what about anyone that lives in a listed building or conservation area? Westminster Council makes it very difficult to install double glazing - in a city supposedly aiming for net zero, the Council prefers we live in drafty fuel wasting properties because that maintains the "important historical heritage"
What happens in the countryside is that people just put ugly PVC ones in their thatched cottages without permission because the chances of their being any planning enforcement is very low and the costs are ridiculous.
Acceptable double-glazed windows for Westminster Council must meet Building Regulations, which include a U-value of \(1.4W/mK\) or lower for new windows and doors, unless the property is a listed building or in a conservation area. For listed buildings or conservation areas, replacements must closely match the original design and appearance, with installers potentially needing council approval or to work with professionals experienced in heritage properties. For properties outside of listed buildings or conservation areas Energy Efficiency: Windows must be energy-efficient, meeting the Building Regulations.This means new windows must have a U-value of \(1.4W/mK\) or lower.The work must comply with the regulations, which can be proven through a FENSA certificate or council approval.Installation: Your installer is responsible for ensuring the work complies with building regulations. For listed buildings or conservation areas Design and Appearance: The primary consideration is preserving the character and appearance of the area.Replacement windows should closely match the original design and materials.Modern solutions like slimline double glazing may be acceptable, but they must be carefully designed to fit the historical context.Approval: You will likely need to apply for listed building consent or planning permission.Professional Advice: It is highly recommended to consult with professionals experienced in working with listed buildings, such as a heritage consultant or architect specializing in heritage properties.Compliance: The work must still adhere to Building Regulations, which may require a certificate from the council confirming approval. To check for compliance Use a FENSA-registered installer: These installers are registered with the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, which means they can self-certify that the work complies with building regulations without needing to involve the local council's building control team directly.Get council approval: Alternatively, you can apply for approval directly from the Westminster City Council's Building Control department before work begins.Consult with your installer: When getting quotes, ask your installer if they have experience with Westminster council regulations for both standard and listed buildings
The solution is simple, get yourself elected to Parliament, then just install new windows and should Westminster Council raise a question just state that it was “a simple clerical oversight, someone was delegated to do it but forgot, gosh I never knew”. It is pathetic that this madness is allowed to continue- yes, have rules ie state Timber or Aluminium Double Glazed whilst banning uPVC, but planning and consultation fees are just a tax on residents.
I used to live in a conservation area in Richmond and needed to replace rotting wood windows.
The Council allowed the replacement with double glazed copies made of wood. Their main concern seemed to be an alteration to the street scape.
Perhaps your friend should explore this possibility.
I now live in a listed property in Somerset. Part of a stone wall which surrounded the house was in danger of collapsing onto the road and blocking it.
The rebuilding cost £5500 and because the Council is technically bankrupt it cost almost the same to secure the various permits needed for the rebuild.
18m tall means it is what a 5 storey building? And as you say he's on the bottom. This isn't exactly a skyscraper. On the contrary I expect that the streets around his place are full of similar sized (and aged) buildings. Something tells me many of them have windows in a similar state of rot. A sane regulator would simply rule that all buildings in this area are allowed to replace their windows for ones with a similar look with no need for an individual permit. The same regulator would allow mass replacement of firealarms and the like too.
Ironically I suspect the higher ones are less likely to be noticed by passers by so probably easier to “just do it” like in the countryside thatched cottages. After 4 years it’s grandfathered in anyway.
This is nothing, what about anyone that lives in a listed building or conservation area? Westminster Council makes it very difficult to install double glazing - in a city supposedly aiming for net zero, the Council prefers we live in drafty fuel wasting properties because that maintains the "important historical heritage"
What happens in the countryside is that people just put ugly PVC ones in their thatched cottages without permission because the chances of their being any planning enforcement is very low and the costs are ridiculous.
Acceptable double-glazed windows for Westminster Council must meet Building Regulations, which include a U-value of \(1.4W/mK\) or lower for new windows and doors, unless the property is a listed building or in a conservation area. For listed buildings or conservation areas, replacements must closely match the original design and appearance, with installers potentially needing council approval or to work with professionals experienced in heritage properties. For properties outside of listed buildings or conservation areas Energy Efficiency: Windows must be energy-efficient, meeting the Building Regulations.This means new windows must have a U-value of \(1.4W/mK\) or lower.The work must comply with the regulations, which can be proven through a FENSA certificate or council approval.Installation: Your installer is responsible for ensuring the work complies with building regulations. For listed buildings or conservation areas Design and Appearance: The primary consideration is preserving the character and appearance of the area.Replacement windows should closely match the original design and materials.Modern solutions like slimline double glazing may be acceptable, but they must be carefully designed to fit the historical context.Approval: You will likely need to apply for listed building consent or planning permission.Professional Advice: It is highly recommended to consult with professionals experienced in working with listed buildings, such as a heritage consultant or architect specializing in heritage properties.Compliance: The work must still adhere to Building Regulations, which may require a certificate from the council confirming approval. To check for compliance Use a FENSA-registered installer: These installers are registered with the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, which means they can self-certify that the work complies with building regulations without needing to involve the local council's building control team directly.Get council approval: Alternatively, you can apply for approval directly from the Westminster City Council's Building Control department before work begins.Consult with your installer: When getting quotes, ask your installer if they have experience with Westminster council regulations for both standard and listed buildings
The solution is simple, get yourself elected to Parliament, then just install new windows and should Westminster Council raise a question just state that it was “a simple clerical oversight, someone was delegated to do it but forgot, gosh I never knew”. It is pathetic that this madness is allowed to continue- yes, have rules ie state Timber or Aluminium Double Glazed whilst banning uPVC, but planning and consultation fees are just a tax on residents.
I used to live in a conservation area in Richmond and needed to replace rotting wood windows.
The Council allowed the replacement with double glazed copies made of wood. Their main concern seemed to be an alteration to the street scape.
Perhaps your friend should explore this possibility.
I now live in a listed property in Somerset. Part of a stone wall which surrounded the house was in danger of collapsing onto the road and blocking it.
The rebuilding cost £5500 and because the Council is technically bankrupt it cost almost the same to secure the various permits needed for the rebuild.
Really interesting. Nesta is just starting a project looking at barriers to installing heat pumps in flats. Lots of the same issues.
Very keen to meet whoever pushed through the great Kensington double glazing change for flats.
The Building Safety Regulator is an Orwellian catastrophe which achieves the exact opposite of its stated name.
18m tall means it is what a 5 storey building? And as you say he's on the bottom. This isn't exactly a skyscraper. On the contrary I expect that the streets around his place are full of similar sized (and aged) buildings. Something tells me many of them have windows in a similar state of rot. A sane regulator would simply rule that all buildings in this area are allowed to replace their windows for ones with a similar look with no need for an individual permit. The same regulator would allow mass replacement of firealarms and the like too.
6 I would have thought?
Ironically I suspect the higher ones are less likely to be noticed by passers by so probably easier to “just do it” like in the countryside thatched cottages. After 4 years it’s grandfathered in anyway.
Worth pointing out I spent £450 inc VAT getting one double glazed window replaced in my house. Just to bring it into perspective.