Planning Permission for Velux Windows

metroman

Hi everyone

Our local Planning Office have just refused us a dormer window in the roof of our single storey property due to the fact that it wouldn't be in keeping with the appearance of the property, plus the fact that it would interfere with next doors privacy (the dormer would enable us to look over into his garden) .. So now we are considering Velux windows instead and was wondering if anyone knew if we can just go ahead and install them or whether we have to get in contact with our local Planning Office again to obtain consent.

Thankyou )

TomsMom

We've just had renovations done to a house, we had a dormer window in the loft conversion and also Velux windows in the kitchen/sun room extension roof. Our plans included both so I don't really know whether you would need PP just for a Velux window. OH seems to think not as you're not raising the roof line or anything. However, a quick call to your local planning dept should sort it out.

tstodart

Have you checked out the planningportal?

It is a good start to understand what you can do without planning permission.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315235153.html

Cazza

If your property is listed or in a conservation area you will definitely still need planning permission.

planning_officer

Not necessarily - it depends on their size and whether they are classified as 'development' in the first place. Quite often, velux windows are not regarded as development and hence don't require planning permission. However, do check your property history to see if there are any restrictive conditions on previous planning permissions which may stop you installing rooflights.

usignuolo

Do you live in a conservation area? Otherwise I wouldn't have thought you needed planning permission for a dormer window. Our neighbours applied for permission for a juliet balcony in a roof extension and then raised the roof (literally) and built a full scale sitting out balcony along the entire back of the house at roof level overlooking all the surrounding gardens.

It contravened the local Development Plan in particular about overlooking and the council's own guidelines on extensions. Neighbours complained and it went to the Planning committee who were recommended by the planners to approve it. It seems the provisions of the local UDP (Development Plan) are only recommendations and not legally binding, and there is no actual legal protection against overlooking. Also the new extension did not exceed the permitted legal maximum for these things. So the planners said it should be approved, retrospectively.

niamhtra66

We had the same problem, we extended over our double garage and as my brother is a roofer he did an open loft so we can use it as a room in the future, we were refused permission for a dorma but told by warrington planning we didn't need permissio for a velux and we could have as many as we wanted. Probably best to give them a quick call and check though.

dougk_2

You will still need to comply with Build Regulations though and proably need Building Control to inspect (for which there is a fee).