Elderly ‘suffering’ due to listed building rules

10:10pm Friday 9th March 2012 in News

By Richard Vernalls

, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

ELDERLY residents have become the unwitting victims of “illogical” planning rules, it is claimed, as a row over new double-glazing at an almshouse rumbles on.

The Coventry Charity almhouses in the Holloway, Droitwich, is now applying to have part of the black and white building de-listed.

It follows an unsuccessful planning appeal by the charity which would have allowed it to fit heat-efficient uPVC windows to the frontage of the 1930s building.

The problem, as previously reported by your Worcester News, is that the original building dates to 1686 and is grade two listed. Planning rules say
anything built within the curtilage of a listed building is also listed – including the 1930s extension.

But the charity had already bought £23,000 of windows which have been gathering dust since October last year.

Sara Moyden, almhouses general manager, said it was “disappointing” the appeal had failed, but they had to press on for the sake of their 43 residents.

“I am applying to have that frontage of the building de-listed,” she said. “So we can then use the windows. We’ve had a quote for some windows which the current planning rules would allow, but they
are £50,000 and we don’t have that sort of money.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Moyden said the charity has since had the eye-watering estimate for this year’s gas bill to heat the almhouses quoting £50,000 for the year – an increase of £12,000 on last year.
“What is more important, having housing for the elderly or keeping the building looking perfect,” she said. “It’s not logical. That part of the building isn’t even the original, it’s the 1930s
add-on.”

To offer help to the charity, e-mail coventrycharity.droit wich@virgin.net.

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