I refer to Peter Day’s letter regarding Harrow’s Conservation Areas (‘Beware before you sign up’, October 8).

Many years ago, Harrow Council put Article 4 directions on the windows in Pinnerwood Park Conservation Area, meaning planning permission must be sought to replace them, and that the replacements must be wood and not uPVC.

Recently, some of the residents in Pinnerwood Park wanted us to relax the article directions and say uPVC would be acceptable. This was seriously considered at the last local development framework panel meeting, where residents made a deputation and a full and frank debate took place.

The cross-party panel considered the advice of professional officers, and concluded that to relax the need for wooden frames would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area, and would also be contrary to English Heritage guidelines.

In Harrow we are proud that none of our Conservation Areas are at risk, and we intend to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, Mr Day is trying to muddy the waters regarding the inclusion of Cecil Park into the Tookes Green Conservation Area. By writing such a letter to the press he risks putting the frighteners on the residents in Cecil Park by appearing to suggest that if they agree to become part of the conservation area, they too will not be able to change their windows and use uPVC.

Mr Day has got this badly wrong. We have no intention of putting article directions on the Cecil Park area, because, sadly, too many of the lovely windows have already been changed to UPVC.

However, it is our view that Cecil Park — being the original Metroland development in Harrow —– has historic value, and on that basis we chose to make it part of the existing conservation area to protect its lovely historic character from further erosion.

I hope this puts the record straight.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton, portfolio holder for planning, development and enterprise, Harrow Council