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  6. Planning Guidance (PG) - Alteration and replacement of Windows in Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas

Planning Guidance (PG) - Alteration and replacement of Windows in Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas

It was agreed at a meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel on 28 March 2023 to consult on new Planning Guidance ''Alteration and Replacement of Windows in Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas'.

Please note that this consultation has now closed.

Guidance on the same subject was last prepared in 1998 and the opportunity is being taken to review it, bring it up to date and better align it with current advice from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The main purpose is to refresh and recast the council's position on how it will continue to safeguard the legacy of listed buildings and reinforce some of the protections afforded to the conservation areas. The Historic Environment is an important part of West Lothian's cultural heritage and helps to enhance the local distinctiveness of the area.

The new guidance begins from a much clearer starting point which emphasises that traditional windows should only be replaced if there is sufficient justification that they are irreparable and it places the onus on the applicant to evidence this.

While the guidance maintains a strong presumption in favour of retaining historic windows in listed buildings, it takes a more nuanced and pragmatic approach to the alteration and replacement of existing windows in unlisted buildings in parts of conservation areas where this can be justified.