Portobello Town Scheme Grants

[Guest]

Some of you may be aware of the Portobello Town Scheme, which has for a number of years offered grants to residents in the conservation area who wished to reinstate original features, such as windows and railings. The grant is currently 50% of the total cost, to a maximum of £3000. It is funded in part by City of Edinburgh Council and in part by Historic Scotland.

A recent story in the Scotsman suggests that HS will in future be re-directing this budget outwith the major cities and it is feared this may mean the end of the Portobello Town scheme.

Full story here

So I may have been one of the lucky ones to take advantage of this grant before it dries up, having recently reinstated original-style windows. If you plan to do likewise you might be interested to know that I had a call earlier this evening from the owner of Georgian Windows, the company I had the misfortune to deal with. Although the work was only completed today (after much delay and botched work), and the fact that I have yet to receive a bill, he told me that he was coming round to my house tomorrow to pick up the cheque. I explained that this would not be possible as I had not had the chance to examine the workmanship and that in any case I was required to inform the Council when the work was complete so that they could inspect it and make sure it was up to standard before they released the funds. I was then told not to be surprised if I came home to find my windows had been removed in that case.

It's always rewarding to employ reputable craftsmen. Does anyone know any?

[Sandra]

Bob

Is that single glazed windows or were you able to double glaze on the grant?

[Porty]

I was then told not to be surprised if I came home to find my windows had been removed in that case. It's always rewarding to employ reputable craftsmen. Does anyone know any?

I would email Georgian Windows and inform them that if they visit your property again without your express permission then they will be Trespassing. Get an audit trail. Its probably an idle threat but cover yourself.

I could use up to date contact details as I will be claiming my grant soon. Can you help?

[Guest]

Sandra - to qualify you have to put back what was there originally. That means wooden sash and case single-glazed windows.

Porty - the person you want to speak to is Anne Emerson on 0131 469 3659 (direct dial Mon, Tues and alternate Weds). I would move fast if I were you.

[Porty]

Bob, I tried Anne and she has moved on?? My grant is already approved I just need to get them out to see the work. 3569 gets Anne then she gives you a number and that goes onto voicemail, which informs you that if its Grants you are after then call another number and that one never gets answered. Did they employ former tradesmen to run the Grant Scheme? I do wonder.

[Hawkeye]

In reply to Bob’s plea for decent window installers several years ago I contacted the New Town Preservation Society who supplied us with a list of joiners who could install new sliding sash timber windows. I tried to look up the number in the ‘phone book but couldn’t find it - are they still operating?

The Society did not recommend a particular installer but if a company is on the list then it is some measure of quality.The company we used was Gillie’s at Albion Road and the replaced window exactly matched the existing 160 year old windows.

On a general note, I expect the new window, with regular painting, to last far longer than any uPVC or metal product currently on the market. And don’t let anyone pretend that uPVC is maintenance free, the frame certainly requires regular cleaning to prevent dis-colouration.

[Guest]

She wasn't there long then, because when I initially applied it was the aptly named Anna Grant who was responsible. I would phone Planning in that case on 529 3595 and ask to speak to the person currently responsible for administering the Portobello Town Scheme.

[Porty]

Thanks for that . BTW Anne Grant and Anne Emerson are one and the same.

[Guest]

Thanks for that . BTW Anne Grant and Anne Emerson are one and the same.

Are you sure about this? It was Anna Grant, who I have met on several occasions. She was seconded elsewhere some time ago and I assumed Anne Emerson was her replacement?

[Porty]

No, I'm not sure. Maybe that's why Ive been having such a problem. I thought it was the Portobelo Town Scheme Emerson.

[ras]

I heard recently that Anne Emerson has retired/resigned and is selling up and moving to France with husband Richard Emerson who is retiring as head of Historic Scotland.

Anna Grant was someone that I had spoken to a few years back. (no grant for us)

Not much help I know, but may help clarify who is who.

[Richard]

The person now dealing with the Portobello grants is Catriona MacFarlane, 469 3770 (She is on leave today Friday 15th but is back on Monday).

Hope this is of use.

[Porty]

The person now dealing with the Portobello grants is Catriona MacFarlane, 469 3770 (She is on leave today Friday 15th but is back on Monday).

Hope this is of use.

Thanks Richard.

[Sandra]

Thanks Bob, we have already got single glazed sash and case which make the house baltic in the winter - even with the heating on full blast so will probably (when we can afford it) get double glazed. At the coldest it was last winter I was sitting in the living room with three jumpers and a fleece on, central heating on full blast and a nice mulled wine and still cold.

[Maria]

Sandra, have you considered getting secondary glazing? It'll retain the appearance of the older windows and anything that'll cut out draughts will help keep a room warm.
We're in a listed building so double glazing is out. I'm really happy with the secondary glazing that is permitted as it deadens traffic noise and makes the windows draught proof. We didn't put it in ourselves so I don't know if there's much difference cost wise.

[Mimpty]

I have single glazed sash and case too, but when I bought the house the sellers said they had been upgraded (?) by Ventrolla who are a draught-proofing company.
I [i]think[/i] they are the original windows and certainly they are free from draught and easy to clean because you are able to swing the lower sash inwards. (Mica sell a window cleaning doo-da on a telescopic pole which lets you do the outside of the upper sash.
Thw owners left the paper work as they are sill under guarantee, I can check out the prices if anyone is interested.

[Mimpty]

Correction: that's STILL under guarantee not SILL under guarantee. No pun intended.

[Jay]

Mica sell a window cleaning doo-da on a telescopic pole which lets you do the outside of the upper sash.

Good heavens - I never knew that! 10 years I lived in a lovely flat, with magnificent original Victorian sash windows, that rarely got cleaned on the upper panes, because I could not manage it! Of course, now that I've discovered about this, I live in a roof-flat, with nice, but small casement windows, and don't need the telescopic pole!

[bearcub]

At the coldest it was last winter I was sitting in the living room with three jumpers and a fleece on

......and v sexy you looked too dear

[Porty]

Another great solution for draughty windows is Bonningtons, they did our house, 9 windows and the front door, draughtproofing for a total of just over £1000 excellent service and it made a huge difference.

[Sandra]

Marya thanks for that, might be worth looking into secondary glazing, thanks also Mimpty for the telescopic window cleaning thingy, will defo have a look. Porty, where is Bonnington's?

[Epykat]

Custom Joinery do wooden sash and case windows which are also double glazed (best of both worlds!), although the Council still won't let you have them if you're listed even though they look exactly like the originals. Bet the person who made up that rule doesn't live on a main road with single glazed windows

[wangi]

Surely most folk here don't have their houses listed, but rather just in the conservation area? Within the conservation area double glazing is no problem...

[Epykat]

You're right, it's not a problem if your house isn't listed but I still think it's time the Council had a wee look at what's on the market and changed the rules for listed buildings as regards double glazing. Just because a building was built in 1880 surely doesn't mean we have to live in it the way it was lived in in 1880 - technology has moved on slightly!

[Sandra]

We were told you have to go for planning permission when changing your windows and then you have very limited re choice. When we've saved up we would go for double glazed sash and case style. But there are several flats round about us which have tilt and turn.

[Epykat]

When we put in new windows in Dadaist's flat we were told by the Council that they had to look like the ones we'd taken out, although they didn't have to be wooden sash and case (have a look at them). Therefore, tilt and turn were not allowed (and who'd want them anyway - they're gross!). Strictly speaking they should have had an astragal as well but they will let you off with not having one. In the house we're in now, which is listed, we had to replace the aluminium ones with wooden sash and case to match the original design but weren't allowed double glazing. However, the usual scenario is: you do what you want and if nobody reports you you get away with it - just look around you! On the other hand, you do what you think is right and ask the Council and you get landed with a huge set of rules which invariably cost you more money to stick to!