A council has been accused of hypocrisy after forcing a private landlord to remove newdouble glazed windows – after an authority-owned house had similar work done.

Planning chiefs told 65-year-old Randolph Morse to remove double glazing at his flat in Clifton Street, Brighton, because it was “inconsistent with the rest of the street”.

He claims the work will leave him thousands of pounds out of pocket.


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Mr Morse said: “I believe it is a case of ‘do as we say, not as we do’ for the council.

“In 2009 it submitted a planning application to make alternations to a property at 40 Dyke Road which said it would retain the domestic appearance of the building with only minor adjustments to existing wood windows.

“I’ve been down there with a builder and we were sure they are alsoUPVC, which completely contradicts what they have told me for my property. It is a lot of wasted time and money.”

He replaced the old, single glazed windows of the flat in November with new and more energy efficient UPVC doubleglazed models.

But just weeks after installing them at a cost of £3,000, council bosses said he needed planning permission as his property fell within a conservation area.

Despite presenting Brighton and Hove City Council with a 40- strong petition signed by neighbours who supported his new windows, last week his retrospective application was rejected and he nowfaces a further £7,000 bill to replace the windows.

He added: “They said the windows weren’t consistent with the rest of the street – but the street has absolutely no consistency whatsoever.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said Mr Morse was welcome to appeal the decision.

A spokeswoman said: “The council owns 40 Dyke Road and the building is leased to Seaside Homes. The property was refurbished and converted to self-contained housing units in 2012.

“Within the refurbishment works the windows were replaced, on a like for like basis, with timber frames incorporating a double glazed unit, all of which are in keeping with the requirements for this conservation area and comply with building regulations.”