Navigating the ‘minefield’
8th May 2018

A long and complex ‘labyrinth’ of planning process has been overcome by Eastbourne Eurocell fabricator WINDOW DESIGNS and installer SWAIN BROTHERS which eventually gained consent to replace a cold, draughty wooden conservatory with PVC-U on a guest house on the town’s iconic seafront.

Karen and Mark Cheater, owners of the Langtons Guest House, asked Swain Brothers to help with a planning application to replace the existing wooden conservatory which they couldn’t allow guests to use it in the winter and therefore it was impacting the business severely during the cold months. The challenge that they faced was that it was on Eastbourne Seafront which is renowned for its difficulty in replacing the original timber windows with uPVC windows.

Karen explained: “The first hurdle was the Eastbourne Council website. It was terribly unclear about what you do and don’t need, so it was a bit of a stab in the dark. Even though the people in the planning department know what it all means, as a general person you can really struggle. There is a list of so many things that you are supposed to send them and not all of them are relevant to your application. It was really difficult to find the way through that minefield.”

The couple persisted through the ‘minefield’ and with the help of the fabricator, installer, and many others, the application was eventually granted and the conservatory completed.

The windows and doors were based on the Eurologik 70mm bevelled, topped with a Eurocell Pinnacle lean-to roof with Saint Gobain Bio Clean Blue IGUs.

Karen concluded with advice to any others in a similar situation: “Be patient, persistent and don’t get angry. Give as much information up front as you possibly can. Get proper architects drawings, sectional drawings, get samples made up, and contact the conservation department and perhaps get a supporting letter from them. You need to help the council make an informed decision. It’s all about communication.”

Tim Swain of Swain Brothers added: “The Council were forthcoming and helpful. They would come back with feedback and everything that they asked for they were supplied. We built a good relationship with William and his team to work it through.

“We went through the right channels and produced everything that they asked for and more. They are approachable, stick to the rules, build a relationship and work with them, don’t get frustrated.”