PAPER
B2
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
COMMITTEE B
TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2003
REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND
ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
LBC/8854R Replacement windows, Royal Yacht Squadron,
The Castle, Cowes
Summary
To report on the final outcome of negotiations with
the Royal Yacht Squadron regarding the replacement timber windows and the
recent inspection thereof.
Options
1. To accept the
findings of this report and to agree that all the windows which have been
replaced as part of the phased programme accepted by this Council, are
acceptable, and to agree that this long running saga is finally concluded.
Recommendation
To accept the findings of this report and to
agree that all the windows which have been replaced as part of the phased
programme accepted by this Council, are acceptable, and to agree that this long
running saga is finally concluded.
Background
Some Members may recall that
it was in April 1991 that the first indication of unauthorised insertion of
UPVC windows in this Grade II Star Listed building was brought to the attention
of the Council, and since that time it has consumed much time and energy of
Officers and consultants to reach a final conclusion on this matter. It was suggested at that time that within
the conservation principles of this Council, UPVC is an unacceptable
replacement window in a Listed building.
This has been thoroughly upheld in appeals to 5 May has continued the
Council=s 100% record in the refusal
of UPVC windows in Listed buildings under application, and also in enforcement
for their removal.
This case raised many
issues, not the least being the contention by English Heritage that perhaps
major Listed buildings should be divided down into historic areas, with
different gradings on each area.
However, I believe that having addressed this issue in the Royal Yacht
Squadron it has proved to be cumbersome and unwieldy and in this particular
case will not be proceeded with. For
Members= information the grading of
the Royal Yacht Squadron throughout, including all buildings (the 1960=s extension notwithstanding)
remains at Grade II Star.
Members will no doubt recall
the report to the Planning Committee on Tuesday 3 April 2001 when it was
reported that the Royal Yacht Squadron had agreed they would insert all the
agreed windows, bar the sixteen windows to have been changed under phase 3 of
the programme, and which were due to be completed by December 2002. This was in accordance with the subject of
the 1994 Agreement which stated that timber windows had to be inserted to a
design agreed with the Council as the Local Planning Authority. Members may recall that the Council=s Conservation Officer
visited the factories of Franklin Window & Joinery Company in Leeds, to agree
the type and style of windows that would be provided by them, and which would
be suitable in the Royal Yacht Squadron.
A letter to Franklin Window Company of 24 July set out the detailed
requirements of the proposed timber windows and these were agreed with the
manufacturers.
The quotation dated 7 August
2000 for the detailed specification of the windows was accepted by the Royal
Yacht Squadron on 18 August 2000, the site sizes were lifted by the
manufactures and on week beginning 16 October 2000 manufacture commenced. During November and December Franklin
Windows attended on-site, they removed the offending UPVC windows and inserted
the approved timber windows, these were inspected at various intervals along
the two months of construction and were found to be perfectly
satisfactory. It was concluded at the
meeting that all 33 windows required to be changed under the Enforcement Notice
had been carried out properly to the standard required by the Council and returned
the main part of the Listed building to its original condition. As noted at that meeting, there were still
sixteen UPVC windows to be replaced under the third and final clause of the
1994 Agreement, they were primarily in the mansard wing with a compliance date
for this replacement of December 2002.
It was recommended in the report that Franklin Windows construct and
install the sixteen windows to continue both the type and quality of those
already fitted.
During November and December
of 2002 this Authority was advised that the work was being undertaken, and at
various intervals through these two months an inspection was undertaken to
determine that the quality and the fenestration were acceptable, and I am very
pleased to report that on a final inspection on 13 December 1002 the sixteen
windows were considered to be perfectly acceptable to the Council. The quality is still very high, and in a
letter to the Squadron comment was made to commend particularly the replacement
of the internal architraves and shutter boxes, which contribute in no small
measure to the quality of the work.
It was also noted at that
inspection that two further windows located virtually out of sight under the
roof projection and which were not in fact identified within the schedule were
also carried out giving a total of eighteen windows undertaken. Not requested by the Council I would report
to Members that these were carried out by the Squadron at their expense and in
the spirit of cooperation on this long-running saga, and are to be commended
for this action.
In the letter of 13 December
the final paragraph stated AThis therefore concludes the
final phase of all the replacements, and I am happy to confirm that the
Squadron has complied in all respects with all sections of the 1994 Agreement.@
I am pleased to report that
visually the windows in the Royal Yacht Squadron contribute immensely to the
character of this commanding and historic building, and I am pleased that the
outcome has, after so many years, been satisfactorily concluded.
Strategic
Director