Are you allowed to replace frosted glass with clear??

scotty71

My friends have recently had new people move into the house whose gable end overlooks their garden.

The new owners have replaced the frosted glass on the landing window with clear glass, therefore they are now able to look directly into my friends garden, she no longer feels comfortable sunbathing or walking from the shower to the bedroom when in the house as they are able to look straight in.

My question is, are they allowed to do this??

Thanks for any help.

:beer:

heppy23

It's worth speaking to your local planning department as sometimes frosted glass is used because of a condition made during planning.

Then take it from there really. They can't argue it's for light reasons as most frosted glass lets through as much light as plain glass.

silvercar

If the replaced window is part of an extension, it is highly likely there would have been a clause in the planning permission stipulating frosted glass. If the window is part of the original house the plans for the development may not be in sufficient detail.

If its an extension, the plans may even be online, but the planning dept will know if it was a condition they imposed. If it was part of the original house, ask the planning authority if they would have required planning permission to change the glass. If the answer is "yes" then the owners will need to change the glass back or apply for retrospective planning permission.

PasturesNew

When I got planning permission for a loft extension, frosted glass was stipulated in the plans. I was told plain glass wouldn't have been allowed because of overlooking the neighbours.