AN Innerleithen businessman has lost his fight to retain his windows and doors.

Michael Todd was served with an enforcement notice at the start of the year for the removal of replacement fittings at two High Street flats.

The businessman lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.

But this week the reporter sided with Scottish Borders Council.

Reporter Trudi Craggs stated: "It is clear to me that the windows and doors do not benefit from planning permission and this is accepted by the appellant.

"I therefore find the installation of the existing windows and doors at the property to be a breach of planning control.

"The notice requires the installed windows and doors to be removed and replaced by windows and doors as approved under planning permission."

Mr Todd was granted permission in 2012 to redevelop the high Street property and form two flats.

Among the conditions was that no changes were to be made to the frontage of the building.

He did obtain permission the following year for replacement doors and windows to be fitted - as long as they were timber.

But Mr Todd had wood effect UPVC windows and doors installed.

And a later retrospective application was refused by the local authority.

Ms Craggs added: "While the appellant accepts that there has been a breach of planning control, he suggests that UPVC windows are prevalent within the conservation area and that their use is acceptable in principle to the council. This is not denied by the council.

"He also states that the unauthorised UPVC doors are virtually indistinguishable from wooden doors.

"As such he considers that they do not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the high street or the conservation area and therefore it is excessive to have to replace them.

"The argument that little or no harm has been caused and therefore that no steps require to be taken is not, in this case, a valid one under this ground of appeal.

"Allowing the windows and the doors to remain would not address the breach of the planning control."

Mr Todd now has five months to comply with the enforcement notice.