SOME residents of Exmoor National Park might not realise that they live in listed buildings and that their windows are illegal, the park authority has warned.

Planning committee members meeting on Tuesday were told that the installation of UPVC windows and "other plastic goods" was increasing.

But such modern materials were prohibited because they were considered "harmful to the historic character and integrity of buildings of historic and architectural interest".

And carrying out unauthorised work to a listed building was a criminal offence.

Sometimes the windows were installed by previous owners - leaving new occupants with the problem of replacing them.

A hotelier in Lynmouth faced a bill in excess of £30,000 to replace UPVC windows installed by the previous owner in 1989.

A report to the committee said: "When the current owners are approached about these unauthorised works, they are frequently very upset and angry that they can be faced with a considerable cost of rectifying them.

"While the hotel in Lynmouth is at the top end of the scale, there are other listed buildings where modern plastic window frames will cost significantly less to replace. The cost, however, can be a serious financial burden to the owners.

"There is no time immunity from enforcement action in relation to unauthorised works to listed buildings."

The committee was told six cases were in hand with many more yet to be dealt with: "While much time has been spent in discussion with the owners to resolve these problems, no satisfactory final conclusion or result has been achieved to date.

"Obviously, the owners could apply to retain the windows, but such applications would almost certainly be recommended for refusal.

"The option now available is that of serving enforcement notices."

The committee was told notices would only be served if discussions and negotiations with owners did not resolve the situation: "For example, the works could be carried out in a phased and rolling programme, perhaps over a period of years."

Members were also told any action would be reported to them, and the hope was that people would be spared from making the same mistake in future.

A spokesman for the national park authority told the Free Press there was certainly concern about the increase in unauthorised plastic windows in listed buildings: "But we don't intend to be heavy handed about it."