Planning permission for glass balastrade

thestens

Hi, we are buying a stone house built in 1830s, stands alongside 2 other cottages high up on the side of a dale. On top of the garage roof is a terrace, currently without any rails, etc. The previous owners applied for planning permission to erect a glass balustrade to keep off wind; this was refused as as the use of glass was considered unconventional and harmful to the landscape character and setting of the house. Mild steel railings were suggested by the planners. The previous owner tells us that since then (2003) several other houses in the area have erected glass balustrades on terraces.
What do you think our chances would be, bearing those in mind, of now getting permission? Would it be worth just doing it anyway and hoping nobody noticed ( its down a farm track and quite isolated!)

TBagpuss

have you checked to see whether the other properties got PP? Do you know where the other properties which the vendor is talking about are? Are they comparable properties.

It may well be that the planners' views have changed in the past 10 years, but in your place I'd want more than a vague comment from the vendors

planning_officer

It may well be that the character of the area has changed since 2003 and glass balustrades are now more common - in which case, you having one may be less problematic than it was in 2003. However, like the poster above says, check to see if these other properties actually got PP for theirs.


If the other properties are less visible in the landscape and your balustrade is more intrusive, then it still may be a problem. Might be worth asking the planning dept. at your Council for some pre-application advice (they may charge for this, but it would be less than submitting an application).

wannahouse

just because one got planning permission, doesn't mean another will either unfortunately!

glass is an expensive mistake to make if they tell you to take it all down too!
being a balustrade, there'll be all sorts of building regs that will be necessary to adhere to in order to not fall foul of the law,so i would be hesistant to just do something like that without the proper permissions in place!

can you make enquiries about it to the planning regs dept?

being on the side of a hill, they might be concerned about certain considerations such a the sun reflecting off it at times of day, etc too,who knows?

makeyourdaddyproud

Why glass? There are some very hard wearing timber options available. Have you considered sapele?

TBagpuss

I assume that glass is preferred as it will be a windbreak without spoiling the view, but no doubt OP can clarify

Fuzzyness

you may find that the planning officer that a bee in his bonnet about glass balustrades 10 years ago is no longer working at the council and that a more enlightened officer might have taken his place.

i would always say apply and do things by the book because it'll cost you more in the long run if you dont.

fishpond

Try employing an architect that is local and converses with the council planners.
Will save you time and probably a lot of money and headaches.
I found good architects a lot cheaper to employ than the title suggests:beer:

gooner63_2

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Why glass? There are some very hard wearing timber options available. Have you considered sapele?

Sapele.....always better to use an at risk African tree....than glass.....you sure Sapele is known for it's see through qualities !....:)

kingstreet

Give the planning office a ring and ask them. They'll usually tell you as much as they can.

thestens

TBagpuss wrote: »

I assume that glass is preferred as it will be a windbreak without spoiling the view, but no doubt OP can clarify

Yes we want to be able to see the views( which are fabulous).