TEIGN Housing is facing a bill running into thousands of pounds after installing upvc doors and double-glazed windows without permission at its flats in Harewood House, Bossell Road, Buckfastleigh.

It has replaced most of the wooden windows and doors in the building, which is in the town's conservation area, and the other double glazed units are on order.

On Friday Dartmoor National Park Authority Development Management Committee voted 13-1 to authorise the appropriate legal action for the removal of the windows and doors and their replacement with fixtures of an appropriate design and material.

Enforcement officer James Aven said the building was converted into flats but did not have the benefit of permitted development rights.

Following a meeting with a Teign Housing representative, work had stopped pending the outcome of the breach of planning control.

In a report the committee heard that it was clear in correspondence that it was not Teign Housing's intention to make an application to regularise the unauthorised development, or remove the windows and doors and reinstate the building to its former condition.

A letter since received from Teign Housing had stated it was more than happy to remove them but that it wanted to reach an amicable agreement.

Its project surveyor, Philip Watts, told the meeting some of the matters raised in the observations did not paint a true picture.

He maintained that advice was sought from officers in April and verbal advice was received that planning permission was not required.

'If an error has been made in the advice given, we would expect Dartmoor National Park Authority to meet a fair and reasonable portion of the cost of that reinstatement,' said Mr Watts.

He added that the tenants would have to pick up the tab.

Replying, Mr Aven said Teign Housing had its opinion of the advice given, but the officer's recollection was different.

Planning director Chris France said he had written representation that such advice was not given by the officers.

Trevor Smale said here again was a semi-public organisation that ought to know better, and Phil Cook said the owners of a property in a conservation area had a responsibility to repair the building with appropriate materials.

'What they have done is totally irresponsible,' he stated.

This week authority officers and representatives of Teign Housing were meeting to discuss the matter.