A local council in the north east of England, Hartlepool has changed its rules regarding upvc windows in properties with a historical interest or of special interest in its conservation areas. It has now decided that as long as it does not alter the size and design of the original windows they can be replaced with the modern upvc.

Listed buildings are not exempt from the new rules, where traditional materials i.e. wood will still have to be used to keep the character of the buildings. In the past  areas such as church street , elwick, greatham,  grange, the headland, park,straton, seaton crew, were affected by these rules. In the past residents were being thwarted by any attempts to replace with upvc by the rules. Most home owners wanted to preserve the traditional look of there homes but at the same time wanted the benefits of upvc, with their low maintenance and ease of cleaning from the inside and security features. Now with the new technology, designs , and more importantly colours, with several different types of wood grain  finish, it seems the council has realised a middle ground can be achieved. Councillor rob cook who chairs the local planning committee was quoted” we have made this change after very careful consideration  and in the light and in the increasing interest in upvc windows among residents” early signs are that most people are happy with the changes with several saying they will be replacing windows . one local saying she will be happier to have upvc saying in the past few years she has found it increasingly difficult to clean her windows. She has already had a quote which she said was better than she thought considering the cost of a sach window she replaced in hardwood recently. Others expressed the rising cost of painting of staining their windows. Some residents were opposed to the changes but generally the changes went down very well.

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