The debate and problem surrounding the Signal box was nothing to do with Insulation but the potential use of UPVC windows on the box. Which, when building a period station would have stuck out like a spot on a perfect models face. It was down to whether a suitable hardwood that would require some maintenance over time could be found versus a virtually maintenance free UPVC window. The box itself does have insulation in the roof, but internally would look the same as a GWR box of the similar type.
The issues surrounding the station building however does largely stem from the roof. The original plans were to see an enlarged original GWR Brick type Station building with authentic GWR Canopy as per Toddington et all. However, this is now not what the GWSR board seem to want and are instead costing up something much cheaper made from Steel Box Girders as per the awful structures at Cheltenham Racecourse, thus loosing any authenticity of the station in the process. Where the fall out has been created is in the apparent attitude of the board who led people to believe they were helping to fund both the Bridges to Broadway & the rebuilding of Broadway station to rebuild a GWR type station - not another Cheltenham type effort, now seem to have told the Broadway group that a Cheltenham type effort is what the board wants, because they would rather be seen getting to Broadway first than delaying the extension while an authentic station building is built. Why they cannot allow the extension to go ahead while an authentic building is constructed, with the building being finished over time than rushing it to meet the extension is beyond me and many other supporters of the project too. The board also say that 90% of visitors don't look up - Maybe so, but quoting a comment made on the closure of the blog it is one of many that I really do feel is summing up the direction the GWSR Board are dragging the line into. It's also very surprising given that both the Swanage Railway at Corfe Castle and Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster have visitors who quite clearly do look up and do see award winning authentic style station buildings - The signal box for Corfe and the Canopy at Kidderminster. Even Chiltern Railways have proven how it can be done at Birmingham Moor Street.
All very sad, especially given the time and effort put into the searching of the many thousands of Blue Bricks for the platforms, time and effort in constructing the signal box, and saving and about to start restoration of the former Henley in Arden station footbridge. I for one were one of the many who donated money and bricks to the BAG to see a GWR type station built - A crowning glory for both the line and for the town, and in part feel both let down and disappointed by the apparent attitudes of this is our vision and this is how it will be done of the board.
This thread on Nat Pres is also covering the situation.
http://railways.national-preservati...tion-gwr-roof-fund.486269/page-4#post-1155402