Obscure window - condition of planning approval

marc81

Hi All,

We are in the process of trying to extend our house and it is currently going through planning approval. One thing that the planner has already told us is that it won't get passed unless we have obscure glass at the front (the extension is a 2 storey side extension where we already have the ground floor, we are just building above). The reason for it is that our house is in a corner plot at a right angle to our neighbours, and the position makes it possible to look from the new 2nd floor front window on to a small section of our neighbours garden (mainly their conservatory roof which is obscure).

We had a chat to our neighbours and showed them the plans prior to submission and they had no problems with the windows whatsoever, and we even stood in their conservatory to check how it would affect them which we agreed it would have little if no impact.

My question is, can we put obscure glass in if it's a condition of approval, and then just replace it with clear once the inspection has been done?? Are there any implications of this? I'm even thinking we could use some sort of film on the windows for the sake of the inspection but not sure if they'd be happy with film. We would obviously tell the neighbours about this plan and make sure they were OK with it. Would it only become a problem if we came to sell the house?

Any advice appreciated.

Marc

Doozergirl

What nice neighbours.

There is no planning inspection, so you'll get away with it if the neighbours aren't bothered. Building Control inspect but not on behalf of the planning office. They are only concerned with quality control.

When you come to sell, they will probably just check for the presence of the planning approval. Even if it's raised and somehow becomes an issue, you can use frosted window film. We converted a small bedroom to an ensuite and just covered the clear glass with it. It's good quality - you can't tell it's a film.

It would be in your buyer's interest to have it clear glass. They will either have a problem with the proximity of the neighbours or they'll be fine with it. Obscure glass won't come into it.

stator

You can use a film, the method of obscuration doesn't matter.
However if you remove it you would be violating the planning condition.
It's unlikely to matter unless anyone notices and cares, but they could still force you to put it back.
If your neighbour doesn't have a problem then ask them to put it in writing to the planning officer.

System

stator wrote: »

If your neighbour doesn't have a problem then ask them to put it in writing to the planning officer.

Don't do that - you will just draw attention to it then!
The planning condition will have been added to comply with the local planning policy, whether a neighbour writes a letter saying they don't mind if its obscure glass doesn't affect that, the condition would still remain for future neighbours.

Just agree with the decision and be prepared to put film up if it's enforced over the next few years.

marc81

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I won't be mentioning anything to the planning department as I know the condition is put in place not just to protect the current neighbours but to take in to consideration any future neighbours. I'm glad it sounds like film could be used as this will be a cheaper and easier option than having 2 sets of glass, I just thought it may need to be obscure glass to comply with regs.

Thanks.

no1catman

But why is have obscure glass a problem?


My neighbour had a dormer window extension following the ridge line - it ended in-line with the side of their house - facing the side of my house. And, boy, were we glad when we found out they had to have obscure glass fitted. Having said that, I don't think the 'modern' obscure, is obscure as it used to be.


Whilst in reality if it was plain glass they wouldn't be able to see much, but the human mind isn't always logical - perception is everything, they could.

stator

the_r_sole wrote: »

Don't do that - you will just draw attention to it then!
The planning condition will have been added to comply with the local planning policy, whether a neighbour writes a letter saying they don't mind if its obscure glass doesn't affect that, the condition would still remain for future neighbours.

Just agree with the decision and be prepared to put film up if it's enforced over the next few years.

The planning condition hasn't been impossed yet. If the neighbour doesn't want it, the planning officer won't see any reason to impose it.

System

stator wrote: »

The planning condition hasn't been impossed yet. If the neighbour doesn't want it, the planning officer won't see any reason to impose it.

yes they will, their job as a planning officer is to enforce the local plan, not to keep neighbours happy. (or do what a thrid party thinks is ok)
Every local authority has rules about overlooking private garden space and whether or not there are objections from neighbours, the policy will be applied

marc81

no1catman wrote: »

But why is have obscure glass a problem?

If you had a choice between transparent or obscure glass in the windows of your home what would you want, would you not be bothered between the 2? surely it's always nice to be able to look outside?

Dan-Dan

marc81 wrote: »

If you had a choice between transparent or obscure glass in the windows of your home what would you want, would you not be bothered between the 2? surely it's always nice to be able to look outside?

totally depends what the view is

Doozergirl

stator wrote: »

The planning condition hasn't been impossed yet. If the neighbour doesn't want it, the planning officer won't see any reason to impose it.

Yes they will!

the_r_sole is completely correct!

It has everything to do with local planning policy and nothing to do with what an individual neighbour thinks.