Attic window added resulting in loss of privacy

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 03:47PM #1

Just curious if this is allowed without consultation with affected neighbours...

Our house garden backs onto another house's garden (each garden is around 15m long). Up until today the other house could not see into our garden, but this morning I can see builders have added a large 2x2m window in the attic which now overlooks the garden, thus lowering our privacy.

This actually affects my neighbours either side of me as well since the house to the rear occupies the width of 2.5 of the plots on our side.

Obviously we can do something on our side by installing large poles with tarpaulin between them, although this will be costly and not look great, but I would have thought something like this that affects neighbour privacy would have undergone some sort of consultation?

Mr McBoatface · 11-04-2017 03:50PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Just curious if this is allowed without consultation with affected neighbours...

Our house garden backs onto another house's garden (each garden is around 15m long). Up until today the other house could not see into our garden, but this morning I can see builders have added a large 2x2m window in the attic which now overlooks the garden, thus lowering our privacy.

This actually affects my neighbours either side of me as well since the house to the rear occupies the width of 2.5 of the plots on our side.

Obviously we can do something on our side by installing large poles with tarpaulin between them, although this will be costly and not look great, but I would have thought something like this that affects neighbour privacy would have undergone some sort of consultation?

Seriously?

Atlantic Dawn · 11-04-2017 03:54PM

No planning needed for rear attic windows.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 11-04-2017 03:56PM

Why are you concerned that your neighbours can see into your back garden? Are you doing something you shouldn't?

As long as they have planning permission (if required?) - there's not much you can do.

Without going to the extreme likes poles with tarpaulin of course...

ThisRegard · 11-04-2017 03:57PM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

No planning needed for rear attic windows.

Is planning not required if the window is within a certain distance of the houses behind, or something like that?

goz83 · 11-04-2017 04:01PM

Not for a skylight. The majority of urban houses overlook neighbouring rear gardens to the back of the house.

the 2x2m size sounds exaggerated, but that's irrelevant.

Masala · 11-04-2017 04:02PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Just curious if this is allowed without consultation with affected neighbours...

Our house garden backs onto another house's garden (each garden is around 15m long). Up until today the other house could not see into our garden, but this morning I can see builders have added a large 2x2m window in the attic which now overlooks the garden, thus lowering our privacy.

This actually affects my neighbours either side of me as well since the house to the rear occupies the width of 2.5 of the plots on our side.

Obviously we can do something on our side by installing large poles with tarpaulin between them, although this will be costly and not look great, but I would have thought something like this that affects neighbour privacy would have undergone some sort of consultation?

Well - you could do the same and install your own attic window and spend your days / nights looking into his garden!! And lets see how he likes that!!!

Seriously .....what do you really think should be done about it??

Atlantic Dawn · 11-04-2017 04:02PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

Is planning not required if the window is within a certain distance of the houses behind, or something like that?

If it's a normal Velux style on the back no but if it's a dormer window it would...

If I build an attic conversion do I need permission?

Normally no. However, if work involves dormer windows, permission is needed. If velux windows proposed to the rear, it is exempt. If velux windows proposed to the side/front elevation it is not exempt.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning

Mr McBoatface · 11-04-2017 04:02PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

Is planning not required if the window is within a certain distance of the houses behind, or something like that?

Once it's on the rear of the house, none is required.

OP it could just be a skylight to brighten a dark landing , nothing to worry about.

Can't believe people have concerns over privacy while choosing to live in built up area's. They don't own the view or the skyline and it's subject to change

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 04:16PM

sorry should have been clear, it's not a skylight, it's a standard "vertical" window (whatever they're called)... i.e. they've converted the attic into a new room.

So yep, 2 x 2m

Anyway was just curious

freshpopcorn · 11-04-2017 04:28PM

mrcheez wrote: »

sorry should have been clear, it's not a skylight, it's a standard "vertical" window (whatever they're called)... i.e. they've converted the attic into a new room.

So yep, 2 x 2m

Anyway was just curious

That's a very big sky light! Are you sure of the measurements?

jimmycrackcorm · 11-04-2017 04:31PM

mrcheez wrote:

Obviously we can do something on our side by installing large poles with tarpaulin between them, although this will be costly and not look great, but I would have thought something like this that affects neighbour privacy would have undergone some sort of consultation?

Grow trees. Unless you're sunbathing nude in the garden, it's a bit much to get upset about people seeing into an open space.

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 04:40PM

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Grow trees. Unless you're sunbathing nude in the garden, it's a bit much to get upset about people seeing into an open space.

Not enough space unfortunately, maybe 15m isn't the right length.. might be closer to 8 or 10m.

Also not quite sure why people are considering this is a skylight, it's a window in a room. I guess they're called dormer windows, although the window box isn't sticking out, but recessed inside.

Anyway it's no big deal, they can watch me sunbathe in the nuddy all they want :pac:

Was actually interested in finding out on my neighbours behalf as well.

11-04-2017 04:40PM

You should get on to the minister for justice. How dare your neighbours put a window on their house. Next thing they will be wanting to erect a small wooden shed the bastards!!!

ThisRegard · 11-04-2017 04:43PM

goz83 wrote: »

Not for a skylight. The majority of urban houses overlook neighbouring rear gardens to the back of the house.

the 2x2m size sounds exaggerated, but that's irrelevant.

I understand they already overlook, but when it comes to additions outside of the original planning permission there was something along those lines.

I know a neighbour had an issue when building out and into their attic regarding window placement and it being initially too close to the house behind. The plans had to be changed as a result.

Edit, I just read Atlantic's post, dormer may have been something to do with it.

emeldc · 11-04-2017 04:58PM

From Dublin Co Co website/Planning

If I build an attic conversion do I need permission?
Normally no. However, if work involves dormer windows, permission is needed. If velux windows proposed to the rear, it is exempt. If velux windows proposed to the side/front elevation it is not exempt.

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 05:00PM

emeldc wrote: »

From Dublin Co Co website/Planning

Interesting. Dormer window is essentially a vertical window in an attic?

Can you see planning permissions online anywhere?

EDIT: sorry found it: http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/run/wchvarylogin.display

Dial Hard · 11-04-2017 05:03PM

The dormer window thing is interesting. My parents have one in their attic at the gable end of the house but the attic was never actually converted, it was just put in for light. Wonder what the planning requirements are there?

ETA, I'm wondering from a purely speculative POV, my parents window was done as part of an extension to the house with they had full PP for. Just wondering what the regs are for someone who wants to put a window in but isn't actually converting the attic, which the links provided don't seem to consider.

Calahonda52 · 11-04-2017 05:07PM

OP, time for a picture or two.... of the window etc...

emeldc · 11-04-2017 05:08PM

mrcheez wrote: »

Interesting. Dormer window is essentially a vertical window in an attic?

Can you see planning permissions online anywhere?

EDIT: sorry found it: http://www.dublincity.ie/swiftlg/apas/run/wchvarylogin.display

I just can't believe so many people thought it was ok to slap a window into an attic to overlook anyone's property. Sure whats the difference between that and building an extension with windows peering into your kitchen. Don't they make you frost them up to comply with planning in most cases.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 05:09PM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

OP, time for a picture or two.... of the window etc...

Sure then my cover is blown :P

Interesting, I found no planning permission application for this property. Might have a gander around the front of the house on my way home to if there's one posted up.

andekwarhola · 11-04-2017 05:11PM

emeldc wrote: »

I just can't believe so many people thought it was ok to slap a window into an attic to overlook anyone's property. Sure whats the difference between that and building an extension with windows peering into your kitchen. Don't they make you frost them up to comply with planning in most cases.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning

OP sounds like he's going to run crying to the council.

If people are so paranoid about people seeing their garden, just move out to the countryside.

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 05:11PM

emeldc wrote: »

I just can't believe so many people thought it was ok to slap a window into an attic to overlook anyone's property. Sure whats the difference between that and building an extension with windows peering into your kitchen. Don't they make you frost them up to comply with planning in most cases.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning

The window *does* now look into my kitchen... and, er... my bathroom. So losing privacy in 3 places I guess.

Again I'm not overly concerned as it *is* fixable on my side if I really want it.

Frosted windows would be an easy fix though.

lawred2 · 11-04-2017 05:13PM

emeldc wrote: »

I just can't believe so many people thought it was ok to slap a window into an attic to overlook anyone's property. Sure whats the difference between that and building an extension with windows peering into your kitchen. Don't they make you frost them up to comply with planning in most cases.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning

Velux windows to the rear of a property do not require planning permission. So I don't understand your disbelief.

Dormer windows do because you change the roofline.

What exactly is the problem here? Most first floor windows would allow you to see into the neighbour's garden anyway. If you want that level of 'privacy' - move off on out to the countryside

andekwarhola · 11-04-2017 05:13PM

mrcheez wrote: »

The window *does* now look into my kitchen... and, er... my bathroom. So losing privacy in 3 places I guess.

You have plain glass in your bathroom window?

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 05:15PM

lawred2 wrote: »

What exactly is the problem here?

I guess the issue is the "removal" of privacy that once existed for years without consultation with the affected parties.

lawred2 · 11-04-2017 05:15PM

mrcheez wrote: »

The window *does* now look into my kitchen... and, er... my bathroom. So losing privacy in 3 places I guess.

Again I'm not overly concerned as it *is* fixable on my side if I really want it.

Frosted windows would be an easy fix though.

how?

lawred2 · 11-04-2017 05:16PM

mrcheez wrote: »

I guess the issue is the "removal" of privacy that once existed for years without consultation with the affected parties.

I suppose you'll have to take that up with the lawmakers..

If you live in an urban area then such levels of privacy do not enjoy the protected status that you were hoping for I'm afraid.

emeldc · 11-04-2017 05:16PM

lawred2 wrote: »

Velux windows to the rear of a property do not require planning permission. So I don't understand your disbelief.

Dormer windows do because you change the roofline.

What exactly is the problem here? Most first floor windows would allow you to see into the neighbour's garden anyway. If you want that level of 'privacy' - move off on out to the countryside

IT'S NOT A VELUX WINDOW.

Planning permission has already been granted for all the other windows. The attic window is new which requires new planning permission.

mrcheez · 11-04-2017 05:17PM

andekwarhola wrote: »

You have plain glass in your bathroom window?

Nah, but I open the window to let out steam during a shower. Structure of the house doesn't allow for a fan to be put in.

lawred2 · 11-04-2017 05:19PM

emeldc wrote: »

IT'S NOT A VELUX WINDOW.

Planning permission has already been granted for all the other windows. The attic window is new which requires new planning permission.

sorry - why are you shouting exactly?

You said and I quote

I just can't believe so many people thought it was ok to slap a window into an attic

to which I responded

Velux windows to the rear of a property do not require planning permission. So I don't understand your disbelief.

Dormer windows do because you change the roofline.

Where is your mention of dormer windows? People don't tend to 'slap' dormer windows into attics..

Attic window added resulting in loss of privacy

Comments