THE local authority tells me that the Poulton area of Morecambe is a conservation area and has been so for the last few years.
This time last year I renovated a commercial building in the Poulton area, I had to go through planning for the various consents.
I also had to stick to the conservation regulations. I was told that these conservation regulations only applied to c
ommercial properties and the residential properties pretty much had carte blanche to do as they wished.
Poulton is made up of 90 per cent residential and 10 per cent commercial property, so where on earth does conservation come into things?
Over the last 12 months I have noticed renovation works carried out on some prominent commercial buildings in Poulton, these properties have been pointed inappropriately and have been fitted with plastic, double-glazed windows which, surely, is not to conservation regulations.
If a timber sliding sash window comes out then it should be replaced like for like. What is the point declaring Poulton a conservation area when 90 per cent can do what they like, it makes a mockery of Poulton as a conservation area? I beg anyone to take a walk around Poulton looking at the fishermen's cottages.
The cottages with the conservation spec are all grant-aided and the rest have installed plastic windows.
The old grammar school which is also listed has plastic windows, the Rainbow Centre again has plastic windows.
It seems to me that Poulton is just a hotch potch mix and match village, a few will be made to stick to the conservation rules and the rest can suit themselves.
What does this really achieve?
Name and address supplied.
