Leaking dormer window and council keeping me waiting.

pipsta

Hi guys i have a leaking flat roofed doormer window which is making a lot of mess in the house. I would like to have the roof changed to a pitch roof rather than repairng the roof as this going to be the more reliable option. I have enquired at my local council if i need to apply for planning permission to change it and i have just had a letter back saying "sorry we are very busy at the moment and cannot look into it yet" no mention of time frames etc.

I need to get this sorted asap as water is comming through into the bedroom (a bucket full everytime it rains).

I have a builder over at the moment repairing the roof felt (house built in 1800's) and as he has the scaffolding up at the moment is going to be cheaper to get it all done at the same time.

I dont have loads of money so it is important to get this fixed as economically as possible.

I told the council my roof is leaking badly in my request but they have just fobed me off.

Where do I stand? as you can imagine I cant really wait a couple of months for them to pull their finger out as the roof is leaking so badly.

pipsta

bump.......

Mankysteve

You could do and apply for retrospective planning permission but its risky,

Is the building listed is anyway? or in a preservation area?

Not sure if there any legal time frame they have to give you a decision in.

andrew-b

If it raises the roofline beyond the ridge of the main roof then you'll almost certainly need to get planning permission.
Info on the Planning Portal

pipsta

The top of dormer will not come above the existing roof line. I got onto the council last night and hounded them, they say I will need planning permission to carry out the work. So now I need to pay for the immediate repair plus more scafold to be errected when the job is to be done properly.

I dont see the problem, my house is in a line of three terraced cottages, the other two have pitched dormer windows so mine is the odd one out.

House is not listed or in a conservation area.

Im sure they are just after my planning fee!

keystone

pipsta wrote: »

I got onto the council last night and hounded them..........

TBH thats the worst thing you can do with a council offical. It will almost guarantee your paperwork goes to the bottom of the pile. Tried talking to your councillor or your MP to see what they can do for you to speed things up?

So now I need to pay for the immediate repair plus more scafold to be errected when the job is to be done properly.

Are you claiming for the repair on your buildings insurance?

I dont see the problem, my house is in a line of three terraced cottages, the other two have pitched dormer windows so mine is the odd one out.

For which they probably had planning permission. Knock on their door and find out. If they did your risk is minimal by having the work done and putting in a retrospective application.

Im sure they are just after my planning fee!

LoL - that sounds almost paranoid.

Cheers

pipsta

Sorry "hounding" was the wrong word, I rang and asked lol.

I cannot claim as I bought the house like this with the aim of renovating.

They did get planning permission but that was for the whole dormer window to be build, I already have the window, just want to change the roof from a flat roof to a more durable pitched roof.

keystone

pipsta wrote: »

Sorry "hounding" was the wrong word, I rang and asked lol.

kay.

I cannot claim as I bought the house like this with the aim of renovating.

Oh I see.

They did get planning permission but that was for the whole dormer window to be build, I already have the window, just want to change the roof from a flat roof to a more durable pitched roof.

My gut feel is that I'd have it done whilst he is up there and worry about the paperwork afterwards. You may have to flutter your eyelashes at bit at the planning officer. LoL

Cheers

pipsta

keystone wrote: »

kay.

Oh I see.

My gut feel is that I'd have it done whilst he is up there and worry about the paperwork afterwards. You may have to flutter your eyelashes at bit at the planning officer. LoL

Cheers

She did sound quite fit on the phone actually! I always say though, "fit on the phone, add two stone"!

I did ask if I could do it and worry about the paperwork after (under notice i believe it is called) but she said no that is for building regs only.

andrew-b

Is this at the front, rear or side of the property?

Rather than go through the slow, costly planning & building control process why not just get the flat roof fixed/replaced. Flat roofs don't last forever and need replacing every 20 years or so. It will cost you far less than a pitch roof and can be done in a day (possibly 2) by a decent roofer from a scaffold tower. Will probably cost you a good chunk of a new flat roof in planning fees.

I very much doubt building insurance would cover you.

pipsta

andrew-b wrote: »

Is this at the front, rear or side of the property?

Rather than go through the slow, costly planning & building control process why not just get the flat roof fixed/replaced. Flat roofs don't last forever and need replacing every 20 years or so. It will cost you far less than a pitch roof and can be done in a day (possibly 2) by a decent roofer from a scaffold tower. Will probably cost you a good chunk of a new flat roof in planning fees.

I very much doubt building insurance would cover you.

I was thinking of just getting the flat roof repaired and be done with it but would rather it be pitched because it will match the other houses in the area.

The window faces the road which i am guessing is why i need planning permission