Angry villagers claim they are stuck in a "time warp" because of a conservation order limiting changes they can make to their homes.

Residents of Silver End say the order stops them putting in double glazing or making alterations to the front of their homes.

The order was made on former Crittall Windows homes to protect the buildings for their historic and architectural value.

The homes were specially built in the 1920s for company workers. More than 400 Silver End residents have signed a petition calling for a public meeting to discuss the order which they say is unfair and inconsistent.

Campaigners are urging the parish council to call an extraordinary general meeting with MP Alan Hurst and planning chiefs.

Daniel Sheehan, of Jubilee Court, was told to take double glazed windows out of his home in 1998.

Mr Sheehan said: "It's like being in a time warp. I am a pensioner and had to put other windows back at great expense. The double glazed windows did not look any different from the ones they made me install."

Braintree Council planning enforcement officer Natalie Gibbons said the conservation order was reviewed last year, but Green councillor for Witham and Silver End James Abbott said at times the orders were heavy-handed.

He said: "We support the villagers to the extent that we recognise there is a problem. "The implementation of the order does seem to have fallen on some residents unfairly."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.