New build differs to brochure

mi-key

RelievedSheff said:

mi-key said:

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

It may not be possible to put the windows in depending on the plot. If it's overlooking a neighbouring property there may well be a planning condition to say those windows are omitted.

For what it is worth our lounge has windows on the front and the side and it's a pain. Far too much light on the TV screen.

My parents living room has windows on two sides, but they have massive gardens and views from the side over fields to the river. Not sure I would want windows looking onto the side of another house a couple of metres away from mine

housebuyer143

mi-key said:

RelievedSheff said:

mi-key said:

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

It may not be possible to put the windows in depending on the plot. If it's overlooking a neighbouring property there may well be a planning condition to say those windows are omitted.

For what it is worth our lounge has windows on the front and the side and it's a pain. Far too much light on the TV screen.

My parents living room has windows on two sides, but they have massive gardens and views from the side over fields to the river. Not sure I would want windows looking onto the side of another house a couple of metres away from mine

I have one window in the side of mine and the fence to the house next door is about a meter away... Might as well have no window as it's dark all the time. 
Ask yourself what the windows would have been next to. If it's a house with a fence in front then you are better off without them. 

MikeJXE

The missing 2 windows will more likely be due to planning regulations, I can't see the builder missing them for any other reason 

jonnym1985

Hi all, appreciate all the comments re plannings regs. We are a row of 4 detached houses (the plot we picked had the most space around it with a double driveway, meaning side by side with our neighbours, to the LHS, and single driveway to RHS. The other houses are closer than this with just a walkway for bins). This was another reason we picked this plot.

The houses across the street are also detached, albeit a different house style, and all have only the walkways, as their parking is to the front of the properties. These houses all have windows directly facing each other and a lot closer than we are to our neighbours. Potentially, yes it could be a planning issue, but we would have appreciated being told.

We couldn’t get a walk around prior to this week for “health & safety reasons” which will be something I won’t accept in the future if we ever decide to move, I will have learned from this mistake.

Re drawings, we definitely seen them at some point (potentially with the solicitor) and the fact we didn’t raise the issue then makes me think there wasn’t a problem. However, I can’t find any copies in our paperwork or emails, only land registry maps showing our boundary. We do have the selections map for the positioning of sockets/lights etc and it shows the windows that I keep referring to. I will be asking our solicitor for the planning application number in order to check online.

We will wait until Monday to see what happens, thanks all who commented offering advice. Now the dust has settled a little we are not over the moon but ultimately we can’t foresee pulling out of the purchase. Hopefully there can be an agreement made between all parties on Monday for a fair resolution.

Thank you all again.

Ramouth

It is a good floor plan and sounds like a nice plot.  I hope you are very happy in your new home with or without additional windows.

Section62

jonnym1985 said:

I will be asking our solicitor for the planning application number in order to check online.

You should be able to find it without needing the reference number - use the advanced search with either the postcode or street name and then check through the list for an application with the right description and the outcome "Approved".

Typically there will be an "Outline" application and then various subsequent applications for the details, as well as for discharge of conditions.  Plans showing the style of each property may be included in the outline consent, but check the subsequent ones as well as sometimes the detailed design of properties will change during the process (fairly common for one type to be substituted for another on one or more plots).

The application is likely to be for the development as a whole, not your specific property.  And bear in mind the postcode for your address may be a new one for the development, so if you don't get any results check the postcode of a nearby older property.

mi-key

jonnym1985 said:

Hi all, appreciate all the comments re plannings regs. We are a row of 4 detached houses (the plot we picked had the most space around it with a double driveway, meaning side by side with our neighbours, to the LHS, and single driveway to RHS. The other houses are closer than this with just a walkway for bins). This was another reason we picked this plot.

The houses across the street are also detached, albeit a different house style, and all have only the walkways, as their parking is to the front of the properties. These houses all have windows directly facing each other and a lot closer than we are to our neighbours. Potentially, yes it could be a planning issue, but we would have appreciated being told.

We couldn’t get a walk around prior to this week for “health & safety reasons” which will be something I won’t accept in the future if we ever decide to move, I will have learned from this mistake.

Re drawings, we definitely seen them at some point (potentially with the solicitor) and the fact we didn’t raise the issue then makes me think there wasn’t a problem. However, I can’t find any copies in our paperwork or emails, only land registry maps showing our boundary. We do have the selections map for the positioning of sockets/lights etc and it shows the windows that I keep referring to. I will be asking our solicitor for the planning application number in order to check online.

We will wait until Monday to see what happens, thanks all who commented offering advice. Now the dust has settled a little we are not over the moon but ultimately we can’t foresee pulling out of the purchase. Hopefully there can be an agreement made between all parties on Monday for a fair resolution.

Thank you all again.

I'm sure if you move in after a few weeks you won't notice they aren't there. You could even make a feature by putting up two window sized pictures of outdoor scenes

jonnym1985

After a bit of searching I have found the approved plans online. So, they don’t have the windows but do show a store cupboard off the hallway (which wasn’t built either)

We were never aware of this, would have been handy but we can live without. I thought surely houses have to be built exactly to planning permission?

If so, fair enough about the windows, there has still been a mistake somewhere, now we have the question about the missing storeroom.

The plot thickens ::neutral: 

PS I’d just like to say I know none of you can answer definitively or make any of this right but we do want to thank everyone for the advice and guidance. Even just pointing us in the right direction, and also listening to my rant.

Cheers all

UnderOffer

@jonnym1985, no doubt you were very surprised to see the missing windows and probably a little shocked to process it all. Personally, I prefer the layout with the solid wall to outside, potential for more furniture and if the builders are able to relocate the fireplace to that outside long wall and your TV in corner (or again on wall), you’d have much more usable space available. 

Enjoy your new home. 

Section62

jonnym1985 said:

I thought surely houses have to be built exactly to planning permission?

It is a bit of a grey area.  Deleting two windows when the room (as proposed) has 4 isn't likely to need a change to the planning consent.  Whereas adding a window (especially in a flank wall) may need additional consent, or at least confirmation from the LPA that they don't consider it to be a material change.

Typically deleting stuff isn't a problem unless it is required by a condition, or consent wouldn't have been granted with the deleted item missing from the start.  E.g. if you get consent for a dwelling with two parking spaces then the two should normally be provided unless the LPA says otherwise.

Alterations are more likely to be an issue with building regs, although having fewer (but not zero) windows in a room is likely to be seen as a positive from a BR perspective.