How can we install a window to the side of the house in a first floor bedroom

kelfish

We are hoping to do a first floor extension to the rear of our house to give us a further bedroom. The extension will be sited at the back of one bedroom which has one rear window in it. As a result of the extension this rear window will need to be boarded up. However this then means that the bedroom will have no window. The bedroom has a side wall and we were hoping to put a window in this wall to provide light, however, our neighbours have a window at the side of their house which means (I am told) from a planning perspective this is a no go.

Having thought about this the options we can come up with are an opaque or frosted window or a light tunnel but neither are what we really a solution we would want. We have considered making it into a bathroom but would like a bedroom.

Has anybody else experienced this or could anybody come up with any other solutions that would enable us to make the room a bedroom with a window on the side of the house in some form?

Many thanks in advance for any input

rach_k

What's wrong with a frosted window?  If it'd be looking out at the side of your neighbour's house, you're not really missing much!  I personally prefer just plain frosted glass but you can get some nice patterns and colours if you'd prefer something with a bit more interest.

edgex

kelfish said:

The bedroom has a side wall and we were hoping to put a window in this wall to provide light, however, our neighbours have a window at the side of their house which means (I am told) from a planning perspective this is a no go.

There are loads of properties where houses facing each other have windows on the sides facing each other.

Who told you that?

kelfish

Thanks Edgex. Apparently the planning department wont entertain that.

DevilDamo

It’s not the fact they wouldn’t allow it, they would condition it that it has to be obscured and have no openings below 1.7m above floor level. It’s a standard (and also PD) guideline.

If the Bathroom can be re-located to the side and therefore utilising this obscured/no principal opening condition, this means you would not be required to provide a (fire) protected stair.

Doozergirl

DevilDamo said:

It’s not the fact they wouldn’t allow it, they would condition it that it has to be obscured and have no openings below 1.7m above floor level. It’s a standard (and also PD) guideline.

If the Bathroom can be re-located to the side and therefore utilising this obscured/no principal opening condition, this means you would not be required to provide a (fire) protected stair.

This. We don't have your floor plans, but a bathroom usually makes the most sense in these scenarios.  

kelfish

Thanks for your suggestion rach_k

kelfish

Thank for the suggestions. We dont really want a bathroom

theoretica

Do you know the neighbours? If they are happy for you to put a window there it might be worth trying to get planning permission.

kelfish

I have been told that neighbours agreement counts for nothing with the planning department. the planning department look at future occupants who may not consent