The News Post Leader reports that several terraced streets in the former Wansbeck district of the county are banned from having conservatories built at the front of their property. This has led to Members of Northumberland County Council’s south east area planning committee asking for the decision to be overturned.

Councillor Jimmy Sawyer, of Ashington’s College ward, said: “One resident was refused because nobody else in that street had one. That’s absolutely ridiculous. That means everybody in that street can never ever have a conservatory.

“We cannot accept a policy where a person is refused a conservatory because nobody in that street has one. It has to be taken on merit. It beggars belief, to be honest.”

It does seem odd that because one person is refused permission to build a conservatory that it then means that the rule applies to a whole street. The reason given is because the relevant authority feels that certain conservatories fail to blend in with existing materials and roof angles.

But there is such a wide choice of conservatories nowadays that finding one to complement a home is easier than ever before. All it takes is a visit from a local home improvement company to assess which form of conservatory will best suit.

Exactly the same could be said when installing double glazing in Cumbria as there are designs for both traditional and contemporary properties, something for everyone. Let’s hope that common sense prevails.

Common complaints relate to billing and meter problems, inaccurate meter readings and missing bills and it is estimated that consumers could collectively be missing out on £4m per year in uncomplained compensation.

Executive director of Which?, Richard Lloyd, says that people should always take the time to complain if it is justified:

‘When we surveyed energy customers last year, we found that many people had experienced a problem but didn’t complain, so could have missed out on compensation.

‘It is important that dissatisfied customers complain directly to their supplier first. But if your supplier doesn’t sort the problem out, it’s worth contacting the energy ombudsman. The vast majority of complaints it receives are upheld, with an average compensation pay-out of £125.’

If you want to be less dependent on your energy supplier, more specifically your heating system, then you need to invest in double glazing as it will help you massively cut the cost of your monthly bills. Double glazing will retain heat like no other window; apart perhaps from triple glazing which is rising in popularity after first coming to prominence in cold climates such as those experienced in Scandinavian countries e.g. Sweden, Denmark, Norway etc.

Visit Planet South Lakes for the best double glazing in the business along with conservatories and conservatories in Lancashire.

It also comes at a time when a huge number of people find themselves in debt to their supplier and incorrect billing, where a customer has been over-charged by an energy company, is a growing issue. Not to mention the fact that the average annual fuel bill now stands at a whopping £1,252.

Certain issues regarding the Big Six are on the way to being resolved which will be beneficial to the homeowner such as the coalition government’s insistence that energy companies cut and demystify the tariffs they offer so that people can locate the best tariff more easily. However, what hasn’t and doesn’t look like ever being solved is the problem regards the cost of gas and electricity.

It looks like it will be up to each of us individually to take out energy efficient measures in our homes to help solve the problem. This means products as such double glazing in Lancashire, or orangeries and conservatories for those looking towards an energy efficient extension.

A new set of windows can have a huge bearing on the cost of your energy bills. They will store heat far more effectively than a set of old and ageing traditional windows.

The best place to buy such windows is undoubtedly from Planet South Lakes as we are one of the longest-established installers in Lancashire and Cumbria. Visit our Kendal or Lancashire showroom to see why homeowners rate us so highly.

Below is a list of handy measures to help you reduce energy consumption.

-          Try to reduce the amount of hot water you use. If possible try to wash clothes in cold water as hot water requires high energy usage.

-          Switch off taps whilst brushing your teeth; limit the amount of baths you take and try to make hot showers as short as possible.

-          Turn off all appliances when you go to bed at night. This means ensuring that your TV is not left on standby and where possible all switches are put in the ‘off’ position.

-          Whenever you leave a room empty always ensure that all lights are turned off. Also make sure that you install energy-saving bulbs in those rooms that you need to be lit most often.

-          When purchasing appliances such as freezers, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines etc. check their energy rating and ensure that you only buy an appliance which is ‘C’ rated or above.

-          Don’t leave mobile phones or laptops on charge overnight.

-          Don’t overfill your kettle when boiling water. Only use as much water as you need.

In addition to the above it also makes sense to purchasing double glazing as it will further encourage energy efficiency. The savings you make will be immediately noticeable and will allow you to splash the cash on other things such as conservatories and orangeries.

Conservatories allow homeowners to blur the barriers between the inside of their properties and their gardens making them perfect for those who like to spend time outdoors. There is nothing better than having a barbeque on those long hot summer nights with your nearest and dearest and what better way to celebrate than by inviting them in for drinks in the conservatory.  It is the perfect location for such special occasions.

If you are worried that the shape and style of your house may not be able to be complimented by a conservatory, then fear not as there are many different types of conservatory on the market.  Edwardian and Victorian conservatories are perfect for those looking for a traditional conservatory shape and style. While lean-to conservatories are ideal if you have very little outdoor space but still want the benefits of having a glass extension.  However if you are looking for something a little different then you should look at getting a veranda conservatory for your home, unlike anything else around they will help to make your home the talk of the neighbourhood.

A conservatory can also typically add around 5% onto the value of a property, something especially useful if you ever decide to sell.

The kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room are where people spend the majority of their time when at home. Giving each of these rooms fresh decoration can totally revitalise them and give them the contemporary look they need in the current buyers’ market. Target the walls, floors and doors as these will be the areas that are noticed the most.

You could even start afresh and install a brand new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. This will not only give them an exciting new visual appeal, but it can also add monetary value to your home. Estate agents will always take note of such measures and take them into account when estimating the overall value of a home.

If space within your home is in desperately short supply then you could look to knock through and turn two rooms into one or use any redundant garden space with conservatories or orangeries. A home extension will without doubt be the most exciting room in the house as when it comes into contact with natural sunlight it will fully illuminate and make for a very unique atmosphere.

Though it may not seem like the most life-changing of home improvements, installing double glazing in Lancashire can also have a profound effect on your property.

Those who choose to go down the route of conservatories, orangeries or double glazing need to visit Planet South Lakes. We are the installer of choice for thousands throughout the region.

Because of the over-riding dominance of the Big Six, smaller companies struggle to get a fair slice of the pie, but Ofgem hope that by auctioning off a quarter of the energy produced by bigger firms will enable the lesser names to better compete.

Ed Davey, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, has welcomed Ofgem’s advice: “Consumers will get the best deals when suppliers face tough competition and that is what both government and regulator are working to achieve.”

Such a move would only be good news for the country’s homeowners as statistics currently show that there are at least 7 million households currently living in fuel poverty.

Anyone who finds themselves in this situation needs to check that their existing windows are still providing the level of insulation required. If you spot any sign of draughts and cold spots then you know that the time has come to get them replaced with double glazing.

Luckily enough Planet South Lakes are one of the leading suppliers and installers of conservatories in Lancaster and double glazing in the region. We know what it takes to restore warmth to the home at a price that you can afford.

Our windows guarantee to make your home more energy efficient so that you stay warm without paying a fortune in energy bills. Those unfamiliar with new windows and conservatories need to visit one of our showrooms in Kendal or Lancaster.

The financial burden that homeowners have to shoulder with regards the cost of fuel can be reduced when they purchase double glazing in Cumbria. A double glazed window is efficient when it comes to ensuring that energy is used successfully and is wasted as little as possible.

This is the main issue with a single glazed window as it is simply unable to prevent heat from escaping and therefore results in your energy bills being more expensive than they should be. One pane of glass just isn’t enough and a timber frame leaks heat as it ages and weakens.

Installing new windows with double glazing throughout your home is a sure-fire way of providing you with cheaper energy and a consistently warm household. Even in colder seasons, a modern window has what it takes to fight off extreme temperatures and give your home essential shelter.

The conservatory is constructed using double glazing nowadays which is why they longer become too hot in summer and too cold in winter like they used to. Contemporary conservatories in Lancashire are warm, cosy and inviting day or night.

The money you invest in new windows will be repaid courtesy of your now inexpensive energy bills and will give you more cash to spend on you and your family. So don’t let the energy suppliers win the battle, fight back and save money!

You can add a whole new dimension to your home and restore it to its former glory by installing an extension. Conservatories and orangeries promise to completely change the way you live your life in the home as they can be used in a multitude of different ways.

At night time you can use it as the most idyllic of dinner locations, whilst during the day you can get down to work away from the office inside the most glorious confines imaginable. Never again will you be pushed for space and in need of emergency chairs as the conservatory or orangery will seat everyone.

Standing tall in your back garden, a conservatory or orangery will be the most predominant feature at your property and will attract the attention of everyone who sees it. You can expect to get at least 20 years use out of it which will more than justify its cost. The overall value of your property may also rise as a consequence of getting a home extension fitted such is its financial pulling power.

There are several home extension and double glazing designs available so finding one to suit shouldn’t be a problem. A good choice of extension will help renew your love for your home and extend its own lifespan.

However you use it, make sure that it suits everyone who lives in your home as it really is a place for all the family.

In addition to supplying traditional forms of conservatories and double glazing, we have recently come up with a brand new type of home extension; one which we know will captivate the imagination of forward-thinking homeowners throughout the region.

We are of course talking about our Veranda conservatory. Not only does it offer the indoor living that you would associate with all of our conservatories in Lancashire, but it also includes bi-folding doors that when opened lead out onto a specially designed Veranda.

Because the conservatory has an over-hanging glass roof it means that each time you sit out on the Veranda you can do so without fear of getting wet. It will also offer you the most panoramic views of your back garden which you can savour in all weather conditions.

The appearance of a Veranda conservatory is unlike anything you will have seen before which means that your extension will immediately capture the attention of anyone who lays their eyes on it. It can even enhance the re-sale value of your home which will come in especially handy if you ever want to sell the property and get a price you feel is justified.

Until you see a Veranda conservatory in the flesh you will be unable to fully appreciate its beauty, functionality and unique construction so we suggest that you pay a visit to your local Planet showroom now.