Loft conversion obscured windows

Cookietree

We have had planning permission for a loft conversion, on a bungalow, turned down twice.

We had a pre-app meeting Thursday to discuss changes going forward.

The PO stated why not the permitted development route! Loft conversion is to sides, not front & back

In discussion with architect the back side-dormer faces council waste ground to the side. We can have fan light windows and must be obscured.

The front side-dormer for bathroom & hallway faces our neighbour.

To meet fire regs there must be a window that opens. Can this not be a Velux window and not be 1.7m from floor height?

Other suggestions was window in front & back.

Help!

Doozergirl

Pictures speak a thousand words. Half of this doesn't make sense without them. Side dormers sound weird. Why not hip-to-gable?

Fire regs dictate an escape window at no higher than 110cm off the floor, from memory. 170cm is not okay.

There must be a back to the conversion somewhere?!

Newuser1987

My advice in this situation would be to submit an application under permitted development to achieve the size/scope you are trying to achieve.

Following this apply for planning permission to include everything including the windows which wouldn't be approved under PD. The case officer would need to consider what you have already got approved under PD and therefore the only change you are asking for is the windows.

Have they raised any concerns to the windows specifically? If not I thing the above would be your best strategy.

As Doozergirl mentioned a hip to gable side would be better in terms of potential space etc and this does also fall under PD. I would ask your architect to explore that option.

Mistral001

What are you paying your architect for? It is their job to advise on this such matters.

Doozergirl

Mistral001 wrote: »

What are you paying your architect for? It is their job to advise on this such matters.

I think they should have employed newuser1987.

Not every designer is good and that answer was, frankly, inspired. That's the sort of thing you pay people for. If I could thank it more than once, I would.

Mutton_Geoff

Cookietree wrote: »

o meet fire regs there must be a window that opens. Can this not be a Velux window and not be 1.7m from floor height?

You can look up "means of escape"


https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/14/doors_and_windows/2


Velux do some nice "cabrio" windows ..





https://www.velux.co.uk/products/roof-windows/cabrio-roof-windows

Cookietree

Sorry been totally distracted with the architect on holiday and getting my head round this loft conversion, which we can now do under permitted development.
This is our bungalow the loft conversion is classed a side dormer

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=73079258&sale=9343480&country=england

On the front will be 2m dormer housing shower room and stairway.
On the other side facing (grassland over the fence) will house the bedrooms.

The windows are issue & being advised windows must be obscured and 1.7m off the floor. So my kids will get a window but won’t be able to look out of it.

Today driving home I saw new build houses with side windows that open and not obscured!

I’m lost ...