A COUNCILLOR has slated planning officers over a bungled roof conversion on a Grade II listed building.

Planning chiefs were caught in a Catch-22 situation after officers informed the owner that he could use artificial Bradstone slates on the historic barn, next to Old Village Farm, Ferry Lane, in Thelwall Conservation Area.

In a report, officers admitted they had acted beyond their authority by allowing the use of the tiles without bringing the matter before the planning committee. The applicant had since bought the slates, and could sue the council if it tried to reverse the permission.

Council policy requires that materials used for listed buildings must be like for like wherever possible. But officers allowed the use of visually identical slates because they feared the use of heavy stones would cause safety problems.

The wrangle turned into a public row when Clr Celia Jordan hit out at officers and demanded that the decision be deferred to allow further consultation.

Said Clr Jordan: "This report is co-authored by the officers whose decisions are in question. This is surely grounds for concern, and possible illegality.

"It is similar to an antique and a reproduction. The latter looks nice but has no value. Bradstone tiles will cause the loss of the historic truth of these barns," she said.

The blunder prompted strong objections from English Heritage and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, as well as parish and borough councillors.

But the committee said their hands were tied and agreed to leave the officer's decision in force.

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