A decision on whether to allow a Grade II-listed retirement home’s historic windows to be replaced with a plastic version has been deferred again.

The application at Grade II-listed Southcote Lodge, which was formerly the home of mathematician John Blagrave, is the second in the last year seeking to replace the timber windows with new white uPVC windows.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) officers have recommended the application be rejected by the Planning Applications committee but councillors will now make their decision next month.

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Case officer Steve Vigar said in the report: “The proposed changes would result in substantial harm to the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building and features of special interest, notably the windows.”

The application is expected to be decided at December’s Planning Applications committee meeting to give councillors the opportunity to determine if the windows are suitable.

Mr Vigar added: “It is clear from the advice that Historic England do not consider that replacement of timber windows in a listed building with a plastic version would be acceptable.”

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Historic England advice says that replacement windows should be “exact reproductions”.

One neighbour who lives on Kenilworth Avenue said: “To change the windows to modern UPVC would completely change the character of this building which is a grade II-listed building.

“The existing windows are serviceable and could be changed retaining the character of the building.”

The previous application to replace the windows was also deferred last November and subsequently withdrawn in April.