Permitted Development loophole?

[Bradders901]

Hi guys - one of my neighbours is building a dormer extension and as this is covered under permitted development we were not notified of any works. No problem I thought whilst it was all covered up with tarpulin but once that was pulled off we saw they had put a window in the end of the dormer which looks directly into one of our bedrooms and provides views into our bathroom and other bedroom.

So I popped around to talk to them as thought that best thing to do but response was sorry but we want as much light as possible and we will be fitting clear glass - not opaque even.

So I spoke to the council planning department as from all guidelines I had read, regardless if the window is allowed I had read that any overlooking windows need to be opaque glass, so the planning officer went and took a look and said there is no violation of permitted development rules - it appears, according to the planning enforcement officer that overlooking windows in the side of the dormer have to be by law opaque but as the guidance does not mention windows in the end of the dormer, there are no rules about opaque vs clear glass - which seems incredible and he admitted it is pretty much a loophole as they can only enforce what is written down regarding permitted development rules - not what is not written down.

We do have trees that cover most houses in our cul de sac overlooking each other and that seems to work for us and other neighbors - these trees were in place when we moved in 7 years ago and we of course are on an estate so there is a limit to how much you can complain about being overlooked.

Anyone got any pistonheads experience of this sort of thing - any options etc? We could continue to grow the trees but that is another 3 foot in height at least and not ideal for all - they were cut this weekend but we have left the tops for now.

thoughts?

picture taken from the bedroom:



cheers

[Bradders901]

Hi- the actual dormer extension you see is on their roofs side elevation - and the small window you see is on the back part of that dormer (their is one on the front also). On the side of the dormer that you cannot see, they have windows facing the roof of the house on the left as you look at the photo (these need to be opaque as they overlook) and on the right, windows in the actual roof.

Our houses are not orientated the same way - if you imagine a T shape, their house is the length of the T and my house is the longways top part of the T - the houses are not identical either and our gardens back onto each other.

Hopefully that helps make some sense of the orientation - growing the trees seems to be the only way to stop the direct view into my rooms I guess.