Installing Windows Into A Windowless Wall.

[Ratty2E]

Our dining room has no windows just small patio doors at the end and can be very dark especially this time of year. I would like to get windows put in an outside wall facing the neighbours garden. They would be high on the wall either side of the chimney with obscured glass. My question is are there any restrictions about this sort of thing, would we need any sort of planning permission? Also could I expect a double glazing firm to do the job or would I need a builder too?

[RATTER15]

Lol, just for a minute I was thinking this was in the wrong section, thought it should have been in "Computers"

[Ratty2E]

Oh yeah it does read a bit like that lol

[Mosaic]

You need to check with your local planning department (unfortunately). This might be something that your neighbours object to if it is overlooking their property and within a certain distance (planning issue).
It might be easier and cheaper to put a couple of floorlighters in there and leave them on, to give a good constant glow.

[The Builder]

You don't usually need PP for new openings, Ratty, even in a Conservation Area. Exceptions can be when there is a special direction on your area that withdraws "Permitted Development" rights. Very rare though.
You can always call your local District Council, and ask for Planning Dept. - General enquiry.

To use Permitted development, you must put in windows of the same style as the rest of the house. As it's structural, it'll come under Building Control though. Go online to your District Council site and download a "Building Notice" form. Very simple procedure.

It's a job for a local builder rather than a DG company.

[Connemmara]

this is happened to a friend of mine - and there was murder - she done the wrong thing and was able to look into her neighbour's garden - this is a friend of a friend so don't what really happened - it turned nasty. Be sure to do the legal thing.

[johnk]

Use a builder, have you spoken to your neighbours?

[pdq1]

We have a neighbour who was told by the planners he could only have obscure glass fitted. On looking across I see his obscure glass has been replaced by see through panes; he must have taken the original ones out.

[buildersmate]

Good advice. as always, from The Builder. I suggest you ignore the comments from Connemmarra and PDQ. Whilst written in good faith, they have to be talking about UPSTAIRS windows, not downstairs.

My added value to this question is to be careful if your outside wall also forms the legal boundary between your property and your neighbour (you imply it does). If so, there would be nothing to prevent the neighbour erecting a 1.8m fence immediately infront of your new windows (on their land). This is only going to work if you own enough of a strip of land between the wall and the boundary, enabling light to come into the house over any boundary fence. [It is for the reason that a neighbour CAN erect such a fence that this 'overlooking issue' mentioned cannot be an issue if on the ground-floor.

[Ratty2E]

Thank you all for your answers. I don't think here would be an overlooking issue as I can see far more of the neighbours property from my conservatory and these new windows would have obscure glazing. I would of course talk to my neighbour before any work was considered anyway.