Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Fri 21 Mar 2025

Comment Date: Fri 11 Apr 2025

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment about the above planning application for the creation of four new structural window openings and window replacement at Higher Milford Cottage.

The cottage is an unlisted building within the Tamerton Foliot Conservation Area. The building makes a positive contribution to the conservation area streetscape as part of a grouping with the neighbouring cob building. The 1840s Tithe map shows that Higher Milford Cottage and the neighbouring barn were part of a single demise.

Historic Environment have no in-principle objection to the proposed development, only two of the proposed four new window openings will be visible from the public highway, as such the harm to the special architectural and historic interest of the Tamerton Foliot Conservation Area is considered to be negligible. In reviewing the window specification our preference would be for a higher quality material than PVCu, whilst the proposed look to be an aesthetic improvement on the existing PVCu windows our preference would be for a higher quality longer lasting and more readily recyclable material. We would recommend aluminium casements which have a significantly longer usable life span and are less harmful to the environment over their lifecycle from the point of construction to when they would be life experience and recycled.

When considering developments that affect a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority shall give special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area, as set out in Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The works as proposed within this application are considered to result in negligible to no harm to the significance of the Conservation Area. However a higher quality window material would be more acceptable than PVCu.