England has some 9,300 conservation areas, designated by local councils to protect their special character and appearance, but the latest edition of English Heritage’s annual Heritage at Risk register, reveals that 1 in 7 is at risk of neglect, decay or damaging change, and many more give cause for concern. The results of English Heritage’s first ever survey of the condition of conservation areas shows the top threats to be from plastic windows and doors, affecting 83% of conservation areas. Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: We want councils to make more use of Article 4 Directions ‘ only 13% of conservation areas currently have one – to protect small but important original details such as windows, doors and front gardens. Lose these and slowly but inevitably you lose the character and the history that made the area special in the first place. There are also financial reasons why caring for your conservation area makes sense. An English Heritage poll of estate agents reveals that 82% think original features add value to a property and 75% think being in a well-kept conservation area enhances house prices. Timber windows remain the best choice for use in conservation areas. In particular, timber glazing bars, to the outside and inside of windows, provide classic traditional styles which are not easily replicated by other materials, especially those fitted within the glazing unit. Modern methods of fixing glazing bars avoid thick glazing beads and allow double glazing units to be used without compromising the aesthetic features of traditional windows. This can be particularly important in some Grade II listed buildings and in conservation areas where local planning departments, or building control, often insist on single glazing sightlines. Most wood window manufacturers can replicate glazing bars exactly and incorporate energy-efficient double glazed windows without any impact on the aesthetics or traditional sightlines of single glazing. To read the full Conservation at Risk survey //www.woodwindowalliance.com/aboutus/publications/