Seven months after a Chatteris businessman complained about two listed buildings in March with UPVC windows he has received a letter from Fenland District Council saying the windows are not a problem.

Peter Taylor, who lost an appeal for having UPVC windows at his mid terrace property, wrote to the council asking why he was prosecuted yet other property owners were not.

“I have been singled out,” he said.

In a letter from Fenland’s planning compliance officer, Bradley Gammond, the council says: “The decision to proceed with any action is entirely discretionary due to the need to act expediently and within the law as well as having regard for material planning considerations.

“Such as the significance of any harm to local amenities, and in this case for the offence of unauthorised works to a listed building to be complete, work must be carried out that is by our judgement detrimental to its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest, unless the works are authorised.

“Each case is looked at on its own merits and therefore a seemingly similar situation may have a different outcome in terms of any action taken.

“The Council is always transparent about its reasons and these discussions are often open to appeal before they take effect.”

Mr Taylor, 60, maintains he has been treated differently.

He bought his Grade II listed house in New Road in 2009. The property had four UPVC windows installed in 2003 by the previous owner, which he was asked to replace with wooden ones.

“There’s no consistency,” he said.

•Do do you think UPVC windows should be banned in all listed buildings regardless of individiual merit? Have you had to remove UPVC windows from a listed building. Email us at kath.sansom@archant.co.uk