Loss of privacy ........
05 December 2005, 06:30 PM
#1
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Loss of privacy ........
We live on a corner, 10 years ago a house was built on the corner opposite (to the side) part of the planning requirements was that any side windows facing our property would have to use frosted glass.
Now the owners have converted the loft into an office, and on the end wall have just installed a huge new window. With clear glass.
They now have uninterupted view of our whole garden, top to bottom (which was fairly private) a full view of our conservatory, a good view into our lounge, and a good view into our bedroom. As this was a small alteration planning permission was not required.
We have lived here for over twenty years and now all of a sudden we have lost any privacy we had.... the house is no longer the same.
Is there anything we can do, a quick call to the council didnt elicit any interest......
Now the owners have converted the loft into an office, and on the end wall have just installed a huge new window. With clear glass.
They now have uninterupted view of our whole garden, top to bottom (which was fairly private) a full view of our conservatory, a good view into our lounge, and a good view into our bedroom. As this was a small alteration planning permission was not required.
We have lived here for over twenty years and now all of a sudden we have lost any privacy we had.... the house is no longer the same.
Is there anything we can do, a quick call to the council didnt elicit any interest......
05 December 2005, 07:36 PM
#3
Surely, if the ORIGINAL planning permission said frosted glass, they can't change that. Small change or no, it's NOT what they were allowed to build.
Try this route first.
Failing that, buy a catapult and use it at night. Frequently. Like every time it gets repaired
Try this route first.
Failing that, buy a catapult and use it at night. Frequently. Like every time it gets repaired
05 December 2005, 07:52 PM
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OR..... if you've a mind to, exhibit yourselves frequently in the nude in full view of neighbours . WHEN (and they will ) they come round to complain, point out to them that they are the ones actually at fault.
Yve
Yve
06 December 2005, 08:29 AM
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Have you tried talking to the neighbour? It seems that much animosity arises from people heading stright to courts and such like when it can often be resolved with a friendly chat over a beer. Speak to your neighbour, remind them of the planning issues (indeed I think under building regs any new or replacement window directly overlooking a neighbour should now be obscured - don't have the building regs to hand so I can't check). If they refuse to do anything, then take it to the planning officer at the local council.
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06 December 2005, 09:06 AM
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As Ollyk says, you may also want to add that they will not have to change the glass in the window, but they can easily and cheaply purchase some spray on frosting that looks as good as normal frosted glass but means it meets both your requirements...
or you could suddenly develop and subscribe to a fetish site for porno fat people - and leave large pictures hung up in your windows for your neighbours to revel in...
or you could suddenly develop and subscribe to a fetish site for porno fat people - and leave large pictures hung up in your windows for your neighbours to revel in...
06 December 2005, 09:21 AM
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It all depends on what part of the country you live in. All councils have different rules & regulations o these matters.
What I would have thought is important is your neighbours are in breach of there original planning application. In an ideal world you will still have a copy of this application, If I were you I would copy this to the council sending by recorded delivery.
When I was last involved in a similar issue I also sent an estate agents valuation of the property, before and after what was in dispute. For me this worked and the council gave the people involved 2 choices 1) apply for retrospective planning permission which they said would not be granted 2) Put everything back to the original, which they ended up doing.
Worked for me but as I stated it does make a difference where you are.
PM if I can help anymore.
chop
What I would have thought is important is your neighbours are in breach of there original planning application. In an ideal world you will still have a copy of this application, If I were you I would copy this to the council sending by recorded delivery.
When I was last involved in a similar issue I also sent an estate agents valuation of the property, before and after what was in dispute. For me this worked and the council gave the people involved 2 choices 1) apply for retrospective planning permission which they said would not be granted 2) Put everything back to the original, which they ended up doing.
Worked for me but as I stated it does make a difference where you are.
PM if I can help anymore.
chop
06 December 2005, 09:40 AM
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This may provide a little info:
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1144675
And also this: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc3/dcp4.htm where it covers the need for building regs on new windows.
And finally
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1144675
And also this: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc3/dcp4.htm where it covers the need for building regs on new windows.
And finally
PRIVACY
It is important that windows serving main rooms such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms should be sited so that they do not directly look into similar windows of adjacent houses or their private gardens. There are various ways of overcoming privacy problems, for example:
a) relocating a window so that overlooking would not be a problem;
b) using obscure glass (if the window serves a non-habitable room such as a bathroom, or is a secondary window which is considerably smaller than the main window to the room);
c) using a high-level window (that is, a window with an internal cill height not less than 1.5m above floor level);
d) erecting a screen fence or wall up to 2m in height along the boundary (if the overlooking would only be at ground floor level);
e) using rooflights instead of windows;
f) relocating an extension to another part of the property.
Where first-floor balconies are included in the proposals, and have the potential for sideways overlooking of neighbours' windows or private gardens, it will be important for "cheeks" (screen walls at the ends) to be incorporated in the design. This may bring an otherwise exempt extension under Planning Control.
http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics...ets/_Home1.htm
It is important that windows serving main rooms such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms should be sited so that they do not directly look into similar windows of adjacent houses or their private gardens. There are various ways of overcoming privacy problems, for example:
a) relocating a window so that overlooking would not be a problem;
b) using obscure glass (if the window serves a non-habitable room such as a bathroom, or is a secondary window which is considerably smaller than the main window to the room);
c) using a high-level window (that is, a window with an internal cill height not less than 1.5m above floor level);
d) erecting a screen fence or wall up to 2m in height along the boundary (if the overlooking would only be at ground floor level);
e) using rooflights instead of windows;
f) relocating an extension to another part of the property.
Where first-floor balconies are included in the proposals, and have the potential for sideways overlooking of neighbours' windows or private gardens, it will be important for "cheeks" (screen walls at the ends) to be incorporated in the design. This may bring an otherwise exempt extension under Planning Control.
http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics...ets/_Home1.htm
06 December 2005, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by scoobydooooo
i find it hard to believe that a planning stipulation for a private house required frosted glass !! never come across that one ??
chop
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