People living in flats in Norwich who want to make their homes greener and more energy efficient by replacing windows have been given a boost today after the process was made quicker and cheaper.

Norwich City Council has adopted a Local Development Order (LDO) which means that planning permission is not needed for the replacement of windows and doors in flats, providing the conditions in the order, which excludes flats in listed buildings or conservation areas, are met.

Until now, if someone wanted to replace the windows and doors in a flat, they would need to apply for planning permission at a cost of �150 for a single flat or �295 for two or more and a wait of up to eight weeks to receive a decision.

But with 42 applications, all of which were granted permission without amendment, over the past two years bosses at City Hall decided to simplify the process.

The changes, which have been made in a bid to reduce the cost and time for landlords, leaseholders and freeholders and to cut out the need for processing applications, saving council resources, have now been adopted following a public consultation.

Bert Bremner, cabinet member for environment and development on Norwich City Council, said: 'Up-to-date windows and doors can go a long way towards ensuring homes are warm and healthy, even helping towards a reduction in energy bills so it was important to us that we do what we can to help make the process of replacing these that bit easier and more cost-effective.'

Mr Bremner, who thanked members of the public for their feedback, added: 'Council tenants are also set to benefit as the changes will mean saving money and time from the council's own window replacement programme, which will be reinvested back into the programme.'

As the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has rubber-stamped the order, by indicating he does not wish to intervene, it takes effect this month and applies to the whole of the Norwich City Council area, excluding the Broads Authority area flats within conservation areas, on statutory listed buildings, scheduled monuments, locally listed buildings or those within registered parks or gardens.