Gina Ward and her husband replaced their draughty, ageing timber windows with new A-rated energy efficient double-glazing at their flat in Holt in a bid to cut bills and keep them warm.

But unfortunately for the couple, they were completely unaware their home at the Beeches - a group of retirement flats within a large Georgian house - was a listed building with strict rules on what can be changed.

The Beeches at Holt where the second storey flat windows have been replaced with modern double-glazed plastic windows. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The name of the property had been changed 35 years ago from the Shrublands and Historic England had not updated its list of listed buildings to reflect its new title, meaning the couple - who were previously in the property and construction business - had not realised it had the conservation status.

They only discovered the issue after North Norfolk District Council's enforcement officers complained they had broken the rules by replacing the traditional timber frames with modern plastic windows.

The Beeches at Holt where the second storey flat windows have been replaced with modern double-glazed plastic windows. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mrs Ward said neither her conveyancing solicitor........

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