Does £600 for planning permission to convert two windows into one sound right?

Heliocentric

marcia_ said:

 I wouldn't choose enlargement because surely that refers to extensions etc What other options are there? 

These are the only two options for the householder planning permission fee:

Heliocentric

silvercar said:

Was planning permission needed or obtained to get rid of the windows? If not, then the original planning permission for the house would have covered these windows. Not sure I would go through the hassle and cost of planning permission to revert to something that already had consent. Though I would ensure that building regs were complied with.

The builders told my mum in the 2000s that they contacted the council about blocking the windows but the council never came to check. I'm not sure if I believe the builders.

I'm also not sure if this was two separate windows initially and was changed to these two as nobody else in the area has the same back windows. It may have originally been one window converted into two when the previous owner in the 50s/60s converted the original house into flats.

I don't want to go through all of this either. I have no desire to sell it. I live here.

Section62

Heliocentric said:

...
Should I contact the structural engineer first before speaking to the window fitter/builder?

Yes. You need to find out what is feasible before getting builders involved.  If you ask a window fitter/builder first they will probably tell you not to bother with a SE.

Heliocentric said:

Did they say why you needed planning consent for this work?

They said this:

The replacement of windows that are not of similar appearance and design of the existing windows would require planning permission. For window replacement, if your property has not been converted into flats, a householder planning application is typically the appropriate type of application to submit.

The thing is, it had been converted into flats before the property was bought in the 1970s. I just don't know if the windows were part of that conversion. They don't look normal/typical of anything my neighbours have or anything I have ever seen before.

That would explain it.  Flats don't have the permitted development rights that houses do (an example here of the risk of people saying you don't need planning consent, without knowing the full circumstances and planning history of the property).

The presence or absence of windows at the time of the conversion is irrelevant now.  There are no windows now and you want to put a window in. As the building is a flat, the council is right that planning consent is required.

You also need to consider the other flat owner(s) - what is the freehold situation?  Is it shared freehold, or is there a third-party freeholder?

Heliocentric

FreeBear said:

jonnydeppiwish! said:

To me it would be a ground floor window, as as the same as converting a window to patio doors, I wouldn’t bother with PP as don’t see the need. Bits that’s just me

Just be mindful that councils now have up to 10 years to undertake enforcement action over any PP or BC breaches. Failure to comply with any enforcement notices are subject to some quite steep fines.

How do they know if this has happened, though? When someone tries to sell it or rent it?

Heliocentric

jonnydeppiwish! said:

To me it would be a ground floor window, as as the same as converting a window to patio doors, I wouldn’t bother with PP as don’t see the need. Bits that’s just me

Do you not need planning permission to convert windows into doors?

Section62

Heliocentric said:

FreeBear said:

jonnydeppiwish! said:

To me it would be a ground floor window, as as the same as converting a window to patio doors, I wouldn’t bother with PP as don’t see the need. Bits that’s just me

Just be mindful that councils now have up to 10 years to undertake enforcement action over any PP or BC breaches. Failure to comply with any enforcement notices are subject to some quite steep fines.

How do they know if this has happened, though? When someone tries to sell it or rent it?

Generally, if someone complains.  Also if a neighbour who wants to do the same says to the planners "well the people at number xx have done it, why did you let them?"

Heliocentric

Okay, thanks. It should be okay as everyone else either has an extension or they already have a normal big window.

Section62

Heliocentric said:

jonnydeppiwish! said:

To me it would be a ground floor window, as as the same as converting a window to patio doors, I wouldn’t bother with PP as don’t see the need. Bits that’s just me

Do you not need planning permission to convert windows into doors?

It needs planning consent - but if all the requirements are met then it could be 'permitted development' (which is a form of planning consent).

In your case the type of building (a flat) means you wouldn't be able to do this as PD.

Grumpy_chap

Usually, changes to fenestration (technical planning term for windows) do not require planning permission.

Sometimes, there is a restriction that means PP is required - either area designation such as "conservation area" or a specific "article 4 direction" that is particular to the property.

We had an extension which was approved but came with a specific restriction about the fenestration.  When we wanted to change the windows, we duly applied for PP.  The Planning Dept struggled to process the application and did not believe we were simply changing windows, but did then approve regardless.

Why does the OP (or the Planning Department) not consider that the change to the windows falls under PD Class A?
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d77afc8e5274a27cdb2c9e9/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf

TELLIT01

If the work required planning permission it really doesn't matter whether you agree with the cost or not.  You have to pay it or risk action for breaking planning rules.