Front window opens to pavement - new build

AdrianC

Surely it's simple? If this is that big a concern for you, buy a different property.

It's not going to get changed.

in_my_wellies

Realistically folk walking along the street don't walk so close to the houses that they would bump into the window

Many terraced houses originally had sash windows and some have been converted to windows opening onto the street. My son rented one as a student and in reality it wasn't a problem. He closed the window when he wasn't in, just like anyone else with a downstairs opening window

shinytop

diggingdude wrote: »

Depends if someone walks into it or not. But then i put things like that down to natural selection. I wouldn't worry unless its obvious you won't able to open your window

That's rather harsh for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Completely daft thing for a developer to do; I think there are minimum heights for signage of 2.3 metres or something like that; maybe that would apply?

davidmcn

OP, are these windows actually going to be an obstruction for pedestrians on the pavement? Or are they just overhanging it at a greater height? I doubt the latter is a problem (given how commonplace it is for buildings to be hard up against public highways).

The highways authority would have been consulted as part of the planning process, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to them.

sgun

So the developers are so stingy that they couldn't give the houses an extra 40cm of front yard? They really must be cramming them in. I would be wondering what else would be done on the cheap. Yes, traditionally older terraces come right up to the pavement and it isn't an issue for many but these are new builds and they don't have to.

Doozergirl

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I wouldn't expect it to be allowed. Easy solution is to restrict how wide the window can open.

That's not going to meet the building regulations for emergency escape, is it?

princeofpounds

Houses fronting the pavement is very common, especially in old market town centres.


Outward opening windows are not common for these windows though! They are usually either sash or inward-opening.


The builder is a bit of an idiot.


Worse that can happen is that you'll be made to change the window (some types it's actually possible to change them over... worth checking). It's quite possible no-one will ever force you to.


In itself, I don't think I'd worry too much about it, but it sends a negative signal about the competence and attitude of the builder.


Ignore all that stuff about planning and building regulations though. This is unlikely to be a situation that is covered by either. You can get planning for all sorts of things that are unlawful for other reasons, and building regs compliance only guarantees, well, building regs compliance. Which doesn't have much to do with obstructing pavements.


What they should be doing is changing the window format.

parkrunner

I have no legal background but I think whether it's legal or not is irrelevant. I'd have thought that if you open your window over the pavement and someone walks into it injuring themselves I'm guessing it's you and not the developer who's up the creek without a paddle.

AdrianC

parkrunner wrote: »

I have no legal background but I think whether it's legal or not is irrelevant. I'd have thought that if you open your window over the pavement and someone walks into it injuring themselves I'm guessing it's you and not the developer who's up the creek without a paddle.

If you open it negligently right into the path of somebody, yes.

But if they walk into an open window, that's their problem.

Skiddaw1

Whereabouts in Reading OP? Just curious really...