Village school refused permission to install UPVC windows

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out a village school’s application for permission to replace timber window frames with UPVC windows – because it is in a conservation area.

Architects representing St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School, Grappenhall stressed that the new windows would look the same as existing timber frames.

But Warrington Borough Council planning officers, using delegated powers, said the introduction of UPVC windows in the front elevation of the school would be at odds with the historic and traditional character of the building and would cause harm to the character and setting of the Grappenhall Village Conservation Area and of Church Lane.
There would be no public benefit to outweigh the harm caused.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council had also expressed concern about the use of UPVC windows.

The architects stressed that the school was not a Listed Building, although being in a Conservation Area provided a significant contribution to the appearance and local architecture in Church Lane.
Existing timber window frames were in continuous need of repair and constant weatherproof paint protection and needed to be replaced at regular five-year intervals.
The proposed replacement windows would match the existing and visually would appear the same, improving the current situation of replacement and repair and would improve the current heat output footprint out of the school.
All other windows to the back and sides of the building are aluminium, double glazed units in a similar style.