Planners are poised to take the unusual step of allowing a Grade II listed building to retain plastic windows put in without consent in one of Great Yarmouth's most prominent terraces.

Planners are poised to take the unusual step of allowing a Grade II listed building to retain plastic windows put in without consent in one of Great Yarmouth's most prominent terraces.

Conservation officers favour taking action against the owners of 59 Marine Parade, the former Caroline Seagull Coach Tour ticket office, contained within Britannia Terrace, saying they have “aspirations” for it.

But in a report to development control committee members, officers say they cannot justify enforcement given the number of unchallenged alterations carried out over the years - and since the 1990 listing.

It says that to refuse the application would be “difficult to substantiate,” and that while uPVC in listed buildings “is not usually acceptable” they do represent an improvement in this case, adding: “On balance given the current status of Britannia Terrace and the nature of the works undertaken since listing it would be difficult to insist without significant grant assistance on the replacement of the timber windows.

The building already has uPVC windows in the first floor, but timber windows remain and are in fair condition at ground floor.

The committee meets in Yarmouth town hall on Tuesday at 6pm.