Owners of old houses and commercial buildings could be banned from replacing rotting wooden windows and doors with uPVC ones under tough new planning guidelines.
People are being asked for their opinions on the proposals, which aim to protect the traditional features of older buildings.
The guidelines would see residents being made to stick to wooden or metal frames when replacing windows and doors and to replicate original designs.
The Environment Department wants the rules applied to conservation areas.
Planning and Environment Minister Rob Duhamel said: “The aim of planning policy is to ensure that the character… of a street or lane is not further eroded.
“Historic windows and doors are an integral part of the fabric of old buildings and add to their special character”
If approved, the measures could affect anyone living or owning a building in a conservation area, with draft guidelines being applied to listed and potential listed buildings, as well as any building built before 1920.
However, Clear View Windows and Doors in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, already has a solution for old building owners who are looking for more modern, energy efficient windows.
Clear View’s range of aluminium windows can be designed and manufactured to any specification by our expert CAD technicians in over 200 colours and various Woodgrain and metallic finishes to mimic traditional window designs and blend in seamlessly with older properties.
As well as looking one hundred percent authentic, our aluminium windows offer all the benefits that a quality modern window system should offer, including superb insulation, minimal maintenance and outstanding security.