AN EIGHTY one year old man could be forced to scrap the £1,000 plastic windows he had fitted at his home - because they don't blend in with a conservation area.

Planning bosses have refused permission for the windows to stay in place at James Brennan's terraced house in New Street, Altrincham - despite being told he could face serious financial hardship if he has to remove them.

Cllr Philip Gratrix said: "Mr Brennan has my sympathy. But his house is in an area where certain conditions apply and if we allow this to go through we might as well put up a notice inviting all other residents to do the same."

Mr Brennan was too unwell to attend Trafford's development control committee. But his daughter, Catherine Usher, represented him and broke down in tears at the committee's decision.

She said: "He is 81 years old and is very upset by all this. He has lived in the house for 60 years and has not deliberately done anything wrong.

"He told the window fitter he lived in a conservation area but was told he did not need planning permission. I shall now be taking the matter up with the fitter."

Councillors visited the scene before reaching a decision. Some believed the council should 'turn a blind eye'.

Cllr Brian Rigby said: "I am desperately sorry for Mr Brennan. I don't see anything wrong with his windows. They are in the same style as a house two doors away - the only difference is they are made of plastic.

"Council flats across the road already have plastic windows. I think we should make an exception in this case - I guarantee you can't notice the difference in the windows."

Cllr Harry Faulkner said other people living in the same row had complied with the regulations by installing timber windows. It would be unfair to them to make an exception - and it could open the floodgates.

The committee voted to refuse permission but to have discussions with Mr Brennan and his daughter before taking enforcement action.

Planning director Angus McIntyre said a grant of 25 per cent, excluding VAT, might be available towards the cost of replacing the windows with suitable timber ones.

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