I READ with interest your article in last week's Cotswold Journal about Moira McGhie's campaign against UPVC windows, which was endorsed by Bill Bryson.

Unfortunately they both miss the point. Whilst agreeing entirely with their comments about the total unsuitability of these windows in the Cotswolds the fault lies with the design and not the material.

There is nothing wrong with UPVC as such. It is a material that does not need maintenance and the windows are well engineered, but the detailing of casement windows by all manufacturers is appalling, with grossly heavy frames and stuck on glazing bars.

Several manufacturers have produced excellent Georgian sash windows, with mouldings which copy exactly the traditional design and are indistinguishable from a timber window. They do, however, seem totally unable to produce a simple cottage casement window that is acceptable in appearance to the public and the planning authorities.

Unfortunately, except with listed buildings and in conservation areas, the authorities have no powers to prevent their use. Their proliferation over the Cotswolds is a disaster, which must be dealt with. Now that building regulation permission is required for all replacement windows there is surely an opportunity to enlarge the requirements to cover good design. I have discussed this with several manufacturers and explained that there is a real demand for a good, acceptable design for cottage windows, but with no success. So far they do not appear to have approached the planning authorities to discuss this. It is unfortunate that the planners have not themselves made a positive attempt to control the UPVC designs and accept this material as a viable alternative to wood. It would be encouraging to see the planners, on whom we rely to protect our environment, taking positive steps to discuss this with manufacturers and improve the design of the present dreadful replacement windows.

MARTIN PODD, Brockhampton, Cheltenham.