Teresa Gorman is in trouble with council planners for installing plastic framed windows in her 18th Century London home.

It is the second time the controversial former Billericay MP has fallen foul of planning laws by carrying out unauthorised alterations to one of her historic houses.

In 1995 she was ordered by Thurrock Council to remove stick-on leading from the windows and rip down a "tasteless" porch from her 16th Century Orsett farmhouse.

This time, Westminster City Council says the use of uPVC dormer windows on her grade two listed terraced house "seriously detracted from the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building."

A spokesman for the council said that Mrs Gorman was now co-operating fully and that she did not realise she needed planning permission. The window replacement work is scheduled for June.

Mrs Gorman, who retired from Parliament at the last election, refused to comment.

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

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