A HOMEOWNER will be forced to remove their new window frames after losing their battle with Southend Council and the planning inspectorate.

Southend Council took enforcement action earlier this year ordering the owner of the property, in Parkgate Westcliff, to remove the UPVC windows after they replaced the original timber windows without planning permission.

The owner of the home, which sits inside a conservation area, lodged an appeal however the planning inspectorate has ruled in favour of the council.

There will now be a six-month period in which the unauthorised UPVC windows will need to be removed as well as any site materials and debris.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, said: “Enforcement action is often a last resort for our planning department and they have raised significant concerns about the uPVC windows being out of character.

“Our planning officers are highly trained and work hard with residents and businesses on their planning applications to get the best mutual outcome.

“It is important that planning permission is granted before work is carried out and we encourage all to consider using our pre-application service to help pre-empt any issues or concerns.

“This has now been ruled on by the Planning Inspector and their decision is final.”

In July 2019, an enforcement case was raised regarding the replacement of the original wood sash windows with UPVC windows.

A letter was sent to the owners advising that planning permission was required for the replacement of the windows.

The application was submitted in September 2019 before later being refused.

A second application was submitted in 2020 and, again, it was refused by Southend Council.

An appeal was lodged with the planning inspectorate in 2021, which was later dismissed.

Southend Council then issued enforcement action, which the owner appealed, and that appeal has also been dismissed.

The concerns and reasons for dismissal were the “harmful” impact on the area.

The report stated: “The development has a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the host building and would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.”