Remove obscure glazing, planning permission

Hi1234

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of buying a new build flat in London, unfortunately most windows in the flat including the main ones are frosted up to 1.7m. I would like to change that if possible.

The neighbours have been fighting the planning permission for the developmen and the development has almost solely frosted glazing on one side now. To me it seems unreasonable, at least for that specific flat's windows, as there is probably at least 35 meters between the flat's windows and theirs and additionally lots of mature bushes/trees covering the view. The flat is on the 3rd floor, however the development itself is built on landscaped ground and the development's 3rd floor pretty much lines up with the other buildings's ground floor.

I have been looking through the planning permissions, because of the flat being on the 3rd floor the flat was planned with a 40m privacy arc (instead of 20m). However, it seems like the major vegetation and that the development is build on a ground which is much lower has been disregarded.

In your experience is there a chance of getting planning permission to change the windows once I have bought the flat? At least to a more reasonable level of lets say 1.10m? The extra view uncovered by the reduced level frosting would just be vegetation.

Any advice on how to go about this is much appreciated.

Many thanks

System

Little to no chance on a new build development - they wouldn't have done this if it wasn't required and there's zero point in obscured glass below 1m!

Hi1234

Thanks for your reply! I have attached the images below, does that change anything?

dropbox.com/s/2f7hp7lvs16q2rk/thumbnail_image1.jpg?dl=0
dropbox.com/s/kap6f4od5fhuily/thumbnail_image2.jpg?dl=0

Debbie_Savard

My sympathies are with the neighbours

<Image removed at OP's request>

Hi1234

Thanks, if you could add the second picture as well please, as I can't embed? Only then it becomes clear how much green there is.

dropbox.com/s/kap6f4od5fhuily/thumbnail_image2.jpg?dl=0

StumpyPumpy

Hi1234 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of buying a new build flat in London, unfortunately most windows in the flat including the main ones are frosted up to 1.7m. I would like to change that if possible.

The neighbours have been fighting the planning permission for the development very hard and the development has almost solely frosted glazing on one side now. To me it seems pretty unreasonable, at least for that specific flat's windows, as there is probably at least 35 meters between the flat's windows and theirs and additionally lots of mature bushes/trees covering the view. The flat is on the 3rd floor, however the development itself is built on landscaped ground and the development's 3rd floor pretty much lines up with the other building's ground floor.

I have been looking through the planning permissions, because of the flat being on the 3rd floor the flat was planned with a 40m privacy arc (instead of 20m). However, it seems like the major vegetation and that the development is build on a ground which is much lower has been disregarded.

In your experience is there a chance of getting planning permission to change the windows once I have bought the flat? At least to a more reasonable level of lets say 1.10m? The extra view uncovered by the reduced level frosting would just be vegetation.

Any advice on how to go about this is much appreciated.

I am not an expert in these things, but in my opinion you have no chance of getting anything changed. This development was already refused once due to its "overbearing nature" and had many objections on privacy grounds - expect an outcry from all the surrounding residents if you tried to change them once you moved in.

According to the developer's own privacy document your building lies within 30m of the neighbours, not the 35m that you state. Note also this distance is building to building with facing windows not window to window so, for instance, a 2m balcony beyond the window would close the gap between the buildings.

The planning was approved at 1700mm giving a "sky view", essentially meaning that the average height person cannot look across through the windows at the adjacent houses, at your proposed 1100mm it simply becomes a decorative feature offering no privacy to the overlooked houses at all. If I were a resident of those houses I wouldn't have been happy at having the unfrosted glass at the top, to be honest and I'd certainly be objecting in the strongest terms to any proposals to increase it.

My suggestion to you is that if you don't like the windows as they are (and I don't blame you) then don't buy the property, you aren't going to be allowed to redesign it once you are in.


SP

p.s. 1 bed 51m2 + balcony flats are still available in the development for £500k - I'd double check the "list price" of £540k you say you were quoted, if I were you.

Ectophile

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kap6f4od5fhuily/thumbnail_image2.jpg?dl=0

Hi1234

Many thanks for your reply. I'm just wondering if it could be reduced, as the greenery effectively provides protection from overlooking beneath the part of the glass that is already clear anyway. But I suppose this might not count.

Browntoa

Overlooked existing neighbours have objected and would object again .

And the developer is likely to avoid backing you in the fight