Not building new build to approved plans

bevhugs

A single house is being built directly opposite the front of my house.
The approved plans have not included windows to the side which is facing my property.
I can see that a gap for a window has been left on the ground floor, which is how far it's been built.
I have spoken to the owner/builder who who confirms this and they say they will seek retrospective permission,  for not only the ground floor but the 1st floor too. Implying that frosted glass would be used.
Where do I stand with this and should I contact the planning department?

user1977

They're entitled to apply for retrospective permission, you can monitor via the council's planning website whether they do and make any representations (or advise them if there is no such application).

ProDave

Might be worth contacting the councils planning enforcement team to point out the difference between what has been approved and what is being built, just to ensure the builder does not "forget" to submit the ammended planning, or they might even advice it would be refused.

grumbler

bevhugs said:

 Implying that frosted glass would be used.

Does this imply that the windows will be fixed (non-opening) as well?

BlueVeranda

There are some houses where I live that had a discrepancy between the plans and what was being built. Someone must have flagged it up to planning, because the work suddenly stopped and the builders went away.

The only way to fix that development was to pull down and start again within the approved plans, but your neighbour may not have to do that. If they do, though, better to know before they get much further.

Section62

bevhugs said:

Where do I stand with this and should I contact the planning department?

The house appears to be being built in breach of the planning consent.  You can contact the council's planning enforcement team to let them know.  Whether or not they will do anything is unpredictable.

Might also be worth tipping off the council's building control department as adding windows may impact on the energy efficiency calculations.

propertyrental

If the approved plans are being ignored, the Planners should be informed.

xzibit

As well as planning you may want to enquire with building control. How far is the wall from the boundary? Depending on the distance the windows (if allowed by planning) may need to be fire rated.