Windows in extension

7firearcade

Our neighbours are building a side extension and the window placement doesn't seem right to me. We have only just moved in and the party wall agreement was agreed by the previous owners so I don't know what it said.

They have installed velux windows at about a 45 degree angle, so we can see directly into their living room from our bedroom, and vice versa. Anyone know anything about planning law?!

z1a

I thought that side windows need to be obscure glass.

7firearcade

I'm not sure whether they qualify as side windows or not - they are in the extension roof but at a roughly 40-45 degree angle

Doozergirl

You're overlooking them, presumably when you go to your window. It doesn't sound like they're going to be staring at you in bed; that sounds impossible. The privacy issue is that of their privacy.

You might want to point out that you can see straight in, just in case they fancy any bedroom olympics in the lounge. . They might want to obscure the glass with film.

The party wall agreement has absolutely nothing to do with their window placement. It's a bit of bad design, not really picked up by the planning system as the rules on Velux windows account more for them being on top floors. There might be some places where they need to start 1.7m above floor level to avoid overlooking the neighbours, but there isn't huge thought given to neighbours overlooking Velux.

The rule on new side windows is actually obscure glass OR 1.7m above head heigh. It will meet that requirement!

You have the 45 degree angle rule from the centre of the neighbours' windows, but it may well meet that too.

A word, I think, about their own privacy.

ic

Perhaps when the work is finished they'll fit blinds and close them at night (remote models are available). Or perhaps they like to be overlooked?

maisie_cat

Our next door neighbour has a single velux on his side extension that I can see into if I look out of my bedroom. Their view is no different from somebody standing on the ground looking up. if the neighbours are concerned they'll get blinds but it has no impact on you