New Build - Windowless Main Bedroom and Only Bathroom

kdotdotdotdot

If it's a velux-type of window, they're great because you get a lot more light into the room than with a conventional vertical window.  The downside being, of course, they're not usually easy to look out of if you like having a view, and it's a minor pain getting blinds fixed to it (which you'll need for summer unless you like being woken up at 4am by the dawn sunlight streaming through).  There are plenty of options for blinds, so it's just a minor expense you'd need to add, along with curtains and other finishings.

ComicGeek

Alderbank said:

If you look at the planning application on Richmond Borough website you can clearly see the Velux type windows on the roof plans. Below is one of the flats (not the OP's)
I agree with Doozergirl that I would have expected the bedroom and ensuite bathroom to be the other way round. However Hampton Wick High Street is an extremely busy road and this design is indubitably to keep the bedroom quieter.
I know people who have bedrooms like this - they love lying in bed and seeing the stars 

No, the rooflight is for the upper floor bedroom not the ground floor one. The bedrooms are directly above each other, so I don't see how they could install a rooflight for the ground floor bedroom.

Looking at Google maps, it looks like they have virtually rebuilt the units from scratch - just leaving enough structure so that they can get away without having to do too much in terms of insulation and efficient heating/hot water etc. 

Doozergirl

Alderbank said:

If you look at the planning application on Richmond Borough website you can clearly see the Velux type windows on the roof plans. Below is one of the flats (not the OP's)
I agree with Doozergirl that I would have expected the bedroom and ensuite bathroom to be the other way round. However Hampton Wick High Street is an extremely busy road and this design is indubitably to keep the bedroom quieter.
I know people who have bedrooms like this - they love lying in bed and seeing the stars 

See, I don't think that is acceptable on the ground or first floors in a house.  

It's okay from the second storey, presumably because they're not expecting you to be able to jump and the requirement for a protected stairwell takes over.  

An escape route through a kitchen is an absolute no.  All I can think is that they've allowed a sprinkler system in place of escape.  

Velux are normally marked on floor plans too.  

I'm really glass you've pulled out, OP.  It's not going to be a pleasant place to live with the lack of daylight, disregarding the safety issues.  

Is this one of those new ridiculous permitted development conversions where standards go out the window?   Please someone stop voting for these idiots.  

Alderbank

Provided the opening area meets minimum standards, Velux type windows are fine as a means of escape.

Doozergirl

Alderbank said:

Provided the opening area meets minimum standards, Velux type windows are fine as a means of escape.

I know that, but it's the height from the floor that also determines whether a window qualifies as an escape window.  Maximum of 1.1 from the floor.  

I have Velux on my own loft bedroom in a chalet bungalow, signed off this year.  Top
openers, no more than 1.1m from the floor. 

I think it's the Permitted Development rule changes that allow substandard development.  I watched a programme with Matt Albright on what developers get away with under PD changing offices to homes and it just wouldn't be allowed under full planning.  

photome

Doozergirl said:

Alderbank said:

If you look at the planning application on Richmond Borough website you can clearly see the Velux type windows on the roof plans. Below is one of the flats (not the OP's)
I agree with Doozergirl that I would have expected the bedroom and ensuite bathroom to be the other way round. However Hampton Wick High Street is an extremely busy road and this design is indubitably to keep the bedroom quieter.
I know people who have bedrooms like this - they love lying in bed and seeing the stars 

See, I don't think that is acceptable on the ground or first floors in a house.  

It's okay from the second storey, presumably because they're not expecting you to be able to jump and the requirement for a protected stairwell takes over.  

An escape route through a kitchen is an absolute no.  All I can think is that they've allowed a sprinkler system in place of escape.  

Velux are normally marked on floor plans too.  

I'm really glass you've pulled out, OP.  It's not going to be a pleasant place to live with the lack of daylight, disregarding the safety issues.  

Is this one of those new ridiculous permitted development conversions where standards go out the window?   Please someone stop voting for these idiots.  

Has the OP pulled out?

I dont see how a ground floor bedroom can have a velux with  another room directly above it, I hope OP is able to get deposit back

scottishblondie

That layout is ridiculous. The “bedroom” on the ground floor not only has no window and is the only access route to the bathroom, but it shares a wall with flat 8’s kitchen. I can only imagine the soundproofing between units will not be great and you would be treated to all their cooking noise.

The only bathroom being through the bedroom is totally unacceptable to me, and it’s only a shower room too!  I’m assuming you had planned to put the 2 kids into the larger upstairs bedroom - traipsing up and down would not be fun when they need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. 

OP I really hope you pull out. Even if you lose the reservation deposit I think you would be worse off going forward with it. 

980233

Definitely the buy to let/serviced apartment buyer.

another_casualty

I'd say that'd be very expensive as its new build .
It's a shame that the op has probably lost the reservation fee, and hopefully not a huge amount . 

Apart from the larger bedroom , to me ( I stand to be corrected ) it seems more for one person or a couple who don't carry much stuff . BTL as mentioned above also 

Maybe the op might be better with an older property which is not as clinical,
Perhaps for the price , they could look at places like Twickenham , strawberry hill or full well/Teddington . 

The train service as far as I remember is not the greatest at Hampton wick .  
There may be older properties in Hampton wick that match the price tag.
As with a lot of these new builds , it's best to watch out for hidden charges and poor finishing which the buyers may not be covered for .

just a thought ..

thegreenone

I'm wondering why the developer gave Flat 8 a hallway which would have been better used incorporated into Flat 7 for a bigger bedroom with a window.   Is the upstairs big enough to divide into two singles and put a toilet in?