windows overlooking other dwelling??

mattym

I am looking at plans at the moment to build between two houses. The site is about 30 metres wide so it will be tight enough i think?? I am wondering if the planning authorities will not allow windows on the gable ends overlooking the houses on each side, or would they be allowed on the ground floor and not upstairs? Its family on both sides so we shouldnt have any objections. I know the planning authorities will tell me but it would be nice to have some idea before we go to the planning clinic. Thank you in advance for any help...

sydthebeat

generally....

ground floor openings are ok, and dont constitute overlooking....

first floor habitable room windows are a no-no..... and shoul dbe designed out....
sometimes en-suite / bathroom windows, eg translucent, are ok....

mattym

Great Sid, thats good news. Do you think 30 metres sound very tight for a site?

Mellor

mattym wrote: »

Its family on both sides so we shouldnt have any objections.

That shouldn't make a difference, its family now, but it might not always be. So it should be design as if it was nosey neighbours that you don't paticularly like

sinnerboy

Dun Laoghaire impose a policy of 22m between directly opposing windows

We have successfully obtained planning for less than this using

glass blockwork
sand blasted glass

if closer than 1m to boundary - must be fire resistant + non opening ( B regs - not just DLRCC )

newname

your situation sounds exactly like mine - i'm building in between 2 houses on a 30m wide site. I put in for planning with windows upstairs and downstairs on the gable end, I was granted planning permission with the condition I remove the upstairs windows.

muffler

newname wrote: »

I put in for planning with windows upstairs and downstairs on the gable end, I was granted planning permission with the condition I remove the upstairs windows.

That would be the norm.

mattym

Newname, could you give me a few more details about your situation, i'm still unsure about 30 metres being enough room for a house. I'm looking at an "L" shaped build to try and keep it a bit narrower. If you want to PM it would be great. Thanks.

sydthebeat

mattym...

the house should be designed to suit the site... not the other way round...

mattym

Sidthebeat

I understand what you are saying but there is a happy medium between building the house to suit the site and the house that you like. The site that we have is not the perfect site that we wanted for the house that we always wanted but we are making compromises to suit the site.

sydthebeat

mattym wrote: »

Sidthebeat

I understand what you are saying but there is a happy medium between building the house to suit the site and the house that you like. The site that we have is not the perfect site that we wanted for the house that we always wanted but we are making compromises to suit the site.

To be very honest, and completely with your interests in mind... but there isnt a happy medium.

Every dwelling should be specifically design to suit the particular site. Everything has to be taken into account; topography, adjoining development, orientation, development plan policies etc...

To try and alter a house plan designed for a different site to suit your own will only end up with a mish-mash of design.

You would be better off describing the elements of the particular plan you like to your designer and, if he/she is worth his/her salt, he/she should be able to incorporate these elements into the new design whilst still retaining proper design elements to suit the new site.

I have plenty of dwellings turn out terrible by clients trying to either place a predesigned plan on a site, or by insisting on certain elements that do not suit....... this is just a heads up

newname

Hi matty m

My house is 15 m wide in total (11.5 house and 3.5 sunroom attached) 10.5 deep with a on a 30 m wide site, its a 2 storey. I have a drive going round to the back of the house. Each of my neighbours have a hedge along their site. It doesn't look too narrow at all. The design of your house will be important, my neighbours have 2 story houses,they all blend quite well into the surroundings. My site is very long also.

KilworthCottage

Situation here . . . I live in the United States and inherited a cottage in Ireland. Currently have a nephew living in the house.

The neighbors have a dormer bungalow. They converted the dormer into 2 bedrooms for their oldest children. In doing so, they installed windows on both gable ends. Is this allowed? I do not know if planning permission was requested. Nephew is upset with the new window stated that it is invading his privacy and the window overlooks our 1 story cottage and back garden.

Any insight?

Window Opening before Installation.jpg

Window after Installation.jpg

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748738#Comment_122748738

It's allowed if they have planning. Not allowed if they don't. First point of call is to check.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748738#Comment_122748738

I would be surprised if that has planning. First off it's not a dormer, they've just converted the attic space, and straightaway I would doubt it has the requisite ceiling height over the area to be considered habitable, never mind fire regs.

But as above check, it's easily established.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/55989666#Comment_55989666

Completely agree with this btw, design the house to suit the site. I know someone who built rurally who just had to have a two storey, they had to sink the house so low into the site to get planning that it just looks ridiculous.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122759077#Comment_122759077

You're quoting a 16 year old post

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122759937#Comment_122759937

Eh any comment on the current one then?

kabakuyu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122748738#Comment_122748738

Something similar happened to someone I know,turned out neighbour had planning but the gable windows had to have obscure glazing to comply with planning,maybe an approach to neighbours to install obscure glazing or put film on existing window might resolve issue.