Installing larger dormer window, do I need planning?

Gunners166

We have gone sale agreed on a dormer. Our survey was completed last week and the 3 front dormer windows are 110mm too high for fire safety building regulations. Surveyor stating the bedrooms can't be used as bedrooms. A step can be installed under the window to meet regulations.

Would this be a reason to pack in the sale!? We really love the house

House was built in accordance with 1997 regulations and was signed off in 2000. Is this a building error or is it before regulations of this type came in?

We want to change the windows anyways before we knew about the regulations. Do we need planning to install a 110mm larger dormer window?

Would appreciate any help!

Stressed New Home buyer🤯!

muffler

Were the attic rooms part of the original design / build or was the attic converted at a later date?

Gunners166

Thank you for your reply,

The rooms upstairs were part of the original plans on planning application 1999 and the house build was finished in 2001.

On the cert of compliance it states the building is exempt - Building Control Regulations (such as Section 8, Part 3 of S.I. 305) 1991 as it is a private dwelling.

muffler

I think the exemption you are referring to is the need for a fire safety cert which is correct. A private dwelling doent require one. However there are other aspects that do have to comply with the building regs.

To address the planning query and the associated means of fire escape. Strictly speaking any alteration to the front of the house requires planning permission unless it is listed as being exempt. Alterations to window sizes isnt in that list. Increasing the depth of a window or windows by 110mm isnt going to be noticed so personally I wouldnt bother about planning. But why would you go to all the bother of fitting new windows when an internal step will suffice?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058366532/installing-larger-dormer-window-do-i-need-planning

Can you clarify what regulations surveyor is referring to? If you have engaged him for a survey, I'd expect a detailed report.

"…3 front dormer windows are 110mm too high for fire safety building regulations. Surveyor stating the bedrooms can't be used as bedrooms. A step can be installed under the window to meet regulations."

House was built in accordance with 1997 regulations 

These two sentences can't both be true.

Either the house did not meet fire regulations, or it was build in accordance regulations.

Mellor

Weird re-reg and repost. Assume OP is not genuine

@Hiddentree99 might have been easier to answer the questions than starting a new thread and acting dumb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058366532/installing-larger-dormer-window-do-i-need-planning#latest