Planning query
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Discussion

Targarama

Original Poster:

14,720 posts

307 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
I know I should speak to builders and the Council in due course, but some PH advice appreciated. Would I need planning permission for this:

We're thinking of adding an extra ground floor window to a side wall in our lounge. Our lounge windows face North and a side window would dramatically increase the light in the room. The window would look sideways towards our neighbours, but there is a yew hedge between, and the neighbours have no windows along this whole side of their house. Our houses are about 7 feet apart. We have a bathroom window directly above the point where we want to place this new lounge window, so the new window would be a ground floor copy (with clear glass). It would not be an opening window (we have patio doors in the same room). This whole estate is around 10 years old and there are other similar houses to ours behind with side windows in their lounges facing their neighbours walls (if that helps).

Oh, and we're in a bl00dy conservation area.

CedGTV

2,538 posts

278 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
Those 2 last words tell you all you need to know.

I would just phone up the local planning dept. and get some informal advise.

Sorry I can't help further.

RedLeicester

6,869 posts

269 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
Targarama said:
Oh, and we're in a bl00dy conservation area.
There's nothing bloody about conservation areas, and nothing hateful about conservation officers either. Call them, ask them, talk to them, cajole them, invite them round, supply with copious amounts of caffeinated beverages and discuss.

Our last house was in a conservation area and in rebuilding / renovating it (it was derelict for 15yrs before we bought it), and subsequently extending it and putting up outbuildings we never once had an issue with conservation: contrary to popular belief they're human and will understand if you explain your reasoning and will help you find a way to resolve matters.

Targarama

Original Poster:

14,720 posts

307 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
RedLeicester said:
There's nothing bloody about conservation areas, and nothing hateful about conservation officers either. Call them, ask them, talk to them, cajole them, invite them round, supply with copious amounts of caffeinated beverages and discuss.

Our last house was in a conservation area and in rebuilding / renovating it (it was derelict for 15yrs before we bought it), and subsequently extending it and putting up outbuildings we never once had an issue with conservation: contrary to popular belief they're human and will understand if you explain your reasoning and will help you find a way to resolve matters.
Thanks, I've nothing against planning officers or conservation areas to be honest. However, our local Council seems to think the rules are there for them to bend (Wycombe Council).

RedLeicester

6,869 posts

269 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
Targarama said:
our local Council
Therein lies your mistake. Deal directly and in person with the conservation officer. With our outbuildings we had planning refused over and over and over again. One morning spent with the CO, and the original set of plans were passed.

Jobbo

13,628 posts

288 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
If it's 10 years old the original planning consent for the estate may restrict alterations too. However, why do you want a window there? It's going to have very restricted light.

Targarama

Original Poster:

14,720 posts

307 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
Jobbo said:
If it's 10 years old the original planning consent for the estate may restrict alterations too. However, why do you want a window there? It's going to have very restricted light.
The existing windows face North and it is a very long room, a window on the side would make a big difference.

Hub

7,002 posts

222 months

Monday 23rd May 2011
quotequote all
If it is only 10 years old it won't be of historic interest, and the conservation area status won't really affect anything. Anyway, you'll only need consent if there is a condition on the original or any other planning consent which says that you can't put more windows in, or there is a general restriction in the area called an 'Article 4 direction' which removes particular rights. You'll have to enquire with the council.

Si 330

1,306 posts

233 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
Hub said:
If it is only 10 years old it won't be of historic interest, and the conservation area status won't really affect anything. Anyway, you'll only need consent if there is a condition on the original or any other planning consent which says that you can't put more windows in, or there is a general restriction in the area called an 'Article 4 direction' which removes particular rights. You'll have to enquire with the council.
If the conservation area was in place when the houses were built they will have conformed to the conservation officers requirements. Things like windows are usually on there list of things to keep in character. That is window sizes, locations and materials.