changing window layout at the front of a house

cpoh1

Lads/ladies,

We are looking to knock an interior wall at to combine two smaller bedrooms into one larger one. As part of this process we would be looking to block off the existing box room window (~0.8m wide) and extend the window in the larger room from ~1.2m to ~2m. Both windows are at ground floor level on a 1953 build.

Do we need planning for this? What costs are involved?

Any help much appreciated.

sky6

Probably not. Certainly not for the internal wall renovations. but a quick call to the Council will clarify.
You will need to establish if the internal wall is load bearing or not.
What is the external finish and how are you going to match the finish. Also being a 50s house the external wall may be mass concrete which was used extensively in those days.

Gumbo

cpoh1 wrote: »

Lads/ladies,

We are looking to knock an interior wall at to combine two smaller bedrooms into one larger one. As part of this process we would be looking to block off the existing box room window (~0.8m wide) and extend the window in the larger room from ~1.2m to ~2m. Both windows are at ground floor level on a 1953 build.

Do we need planning for this? What costs are involved?

Any help much appreciated.

Changing the front elevation generally requires planning. But as above a quick existing and proposed sketch to the local planner may answer the question for sure.

cpoh1

Thanks for coming back to me lads, its a bungalow so no issues with load bearing walls internally - the joists are running parallel to the internal wall and have plenty of support from other internal walls.

Sky6 - The external wall is block on flat with painted pebble dashed finish. Should be easy enough to match the finish and re paint (hopefully!).

My main concern was around planning and requirements thereafter if it applies.

How would one go about contacting the local council planning office? Im in cork city.

Thanks again.

BryanF

cpoh1 wrote: »

Thanks for coming back to me lads, its a bungalow so no issues with load bearing walls internally - the joists are running parallel to the internal wall and have plenty of support from other internal walls.

Sky6 - The external wall is block on flat with painted pebble dashed finish. Should be easy enough to match the finish and re paint (hopefully!).

My main concern was around planning and requirements thereafter if it applies.

How would one go about contacting the local council planning office? Im in cork city.

Thanks again.

Print of a Google map of the house, and print of a picture off 2 copies of the front & side of the house. Mark up one set with the alterations you want to make, write a description of the alterations and send it in to your local area planner ( planning department cork coco will give you their email)
From experience dealing with this planning department - do not take the word of someone over the phone, you need written correspondence

cpoh1

BryanF wrote: »

Print of a Google map of the house, and print of a picture off 2 copies of the front & side of the house. Mark up one set with the alterations you want to make, write a description of the alterations and send it in to your local area planner ( planning department cork coco will give you their email)
From experience dealing with this planning department - do not take the word of someone over the phone, you need written correspondence

Thanks Bryan, my next door neighbour actually works in the accounts office of the county council, might ask him for a contact there and send them an email.


My main worry is that if this needs planning I have two choices:

1. Scrap the plans due to cost
2. Drive on with the change and if I go to sell the house years down the line (unlikely) go for retention on the changes.


am I mad?

BryanF

cpoh1 wrote: »

Thanks Bryan, my next door neighbour actually works in the accounts office of the county council, might ask him for a contact there and send them an email.


My main worry is that if this needs planning I have two choices:

1. Scrap the plans due to cost
2. Drive on with the change and if I go to sell the house years down the line (unlikely) go for retention on the changes.


am I mad?

Your mad to go with option 2

antiskeptic

cpoh1 wrote: »

Thanks for coming back to me lads, its a bungalow so no issues with load bearing walls internally - the joists are running parallel to the internal wall and have plenty of support from other internal walls.

I'm reminded of the help I gave to a mate years back tackling into his newly bought house. He was on one side of a bungalow non-supporting dividing block wall and I was on the other, both removing things block by block. We decided to stop for a cuppa only to find he couldn't get out his door. A hasty retreat beaten to the local acrow-hire establishment followed.

Make absolutely sure there is no support (mid-joist support?) resting on that wall before having at it.