Conservation area status

I live in a village designated as a "conservation area". What this seems to mean is you cannot materially/significantly alter the exterior look of your property without planning permission and planners are required to encourage sympathetic changes in keeping with "conserving" the area. This surely is a good thing.

My road is a road of almost identical Edwardian semis - I think it does look attractive - uniformity offers something - like a poor man's Crescent (Bath)!

In the road is a larger property built in the same style - and subsequently divided into flats with large roof dormers added about 30 years ago. The roof dormers were clad in hanging red clay tiles to blend in with roof colour and overall look.

However the management company responsible for the up keep of the flats have recently removed the hung tiles and replaced it with New England style boarding in a light blue colour. They did this - apparently unaware of the "conservation area" status. There have been local objections and the local authority have told them the boarding has to come down or they have to seek retrospective planning permission.

They have argued in their application that the use of this modern material is "green" - has good insulating properties - and actually looks good. Some locals agree.

I now have a dilemma. The single glazed wooden windows in the front of my property - are probably the properties most distinguishing characteristic. They certainly need painting, Some of the sash chords need replacing and there is some rot. Scaffolding will be needed to do the work. The work will be labour intensive and therefore expensive - and of course when it is done it will still only last for 5 years.

I could easily replace the windows with double glazed ones. Some neighbours have - but the majority have retained the original windows for conservation reasons. Double glazing would be simple to install - no need for scaffolding. It has all the green credentials and future maintenance costs will be massively reduced. Heating bills will reduce and it will be quieter - not that that is an issue. It will cost more initially of course but not that much more.

But I hesitate. Normal double glazing looks ok - but it does not really look right. To have sash double glazing almost doubles the cost and the frames are conspicuous to a careful eye.

So what to do - green credentials and easy maintenance - or retaining the original fabric and original look. I am not planning to sell but I suspect future purchasers would like to see original well maintained windows. I would too - but so much hassle and associated cost. There probably is no right answer - which is why so many people struggle with these issues - including the planners and the management company up the road.