Planning for dormer and window in gable

Maximus_1 · 14-05-2025 01:25PM #1

Hi all. Live in a small estate and to improve the amount of natural light into house looking at adding a couple of dormer windows into the front of the house and a window into one of the gables. Am I correct in thinking because the dormers are for front I need planning? (A neighbour has done this but just went ahead without any planning). I don't care what he does but just want to have things right.

Same thing with adding window into gable. Its west facing so would bring in evening sun and make a big difference. We're last house in a row of 3 so no houses near this gable a window would be looking into.

Thanks!

Gumbo · 14-05-2025 01:31PM

Yes, planning required for the dormer to the front.
Window in the gable depends on what floor it’s at and distance to boundary.

Maximus_1 · 14-05-2025 01:33PM

Thanks very much. Gable window would be ground floor and distance to boundary about 10 meters. Would that exempt it?

muffler · 14-05-2025 02:07PM

Agree with what Gumbo posted above. Just to add that gable windows above ground floor level would have to be 11 metres from the boundary they are facing in order to be exempt.

Edit/ I misread the post. Ground floor gable window 10m from boundary would be exempt.

Maximus_1 · 14-05-2025 05:35PM

Thanks both of you, much appreciated. Can you point in to the position of the planning regulations where this stuff is? Thanks again

Gumbo · 14-05-2025 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123447286#Comment_123447286

Yes as above, exempt.

Gumbo · 14-05-2025 05:53PM

Planning AND development Act 2000 as amended.
Exempted Development Regulations.

muffler · 14-05-2025 06:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448116#Comment_123448116

The exemptions can be viewed here. See 6 (a) of Class 1 which covers your window.

Maximus_1 · 14-05-2025 08:13PM

Thanks again. When I read that I thought it would apply only to an extension so good to get some expertise. Didn't know it applied to an existing gable wall also. Great to know

muffler · 14-05-2025 08:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448634#Comment_123448634

There are lots of things that the exemptions dont mention and this makes life difficult at times for everyone involved in planning be that agents, planners or indeed the general public. Sometimes we have to search the ABP (An Bord Pleanala) portal for determinations and even then some Councils will hold different opinions on what is and what is not exempt development. In fairness there isn't specific reference to putting a door or window on the side of an existing house but it has been widely accepted by all relevant parties that proposed windows and doors into existing houses are treated in the same regard as those in a proposed extension.

Maximus_1 · 14-05-2025 10:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448706#Comment_123448706

Ah yeah great explanation and appreciate you taking the time to provide that detail. Will mean I can crack on so sooner than I thought so pleased with that.

Last question! Would getting permission for a velux to the front be straight forward?

muffler · 14-05-2025 10:12PM

Normally there arent any problems in getting PP for Velux. Dormers can be a bit more trickier.

Maximus_1 · 15-05-2025 01:00PM

Thanks again. The Velux will do in that case

citycentre · 15-05-2025 02:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123448232#Comment_123448232

Sorry to contradict but this exemption officially applies only to windows in new extensions, not in existing walls. I was caught out in this myself when enforcement proceedings were instigated on a project I was working on and we were forced to apply for planning for the new side window. This was Dublin City Council - notoriously strict and pedantic but because of the wording of 6(a) we hadn't a leg to stand on to argue the point.

muffler · 15-05-2025 03:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123450914#Comment_123450914

Read post no. 10.

Maximus_1 · 17-05-2025 01:09PM

Would you go ahead Muffler or apply? Maybe I'll just ask my CC directly.

CityCentre did you get the planning at the later stage? Was window in?

muffler · 17-05-2025 02:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123457594#Comment_123457594

I wouldn't really want to say what I would do or indeed advise others what to do other than to say the quickest and cheapest way to get official confirmation if the proposal is exempt or not is to make a Section 5 application to your local council. Unless your house is a "listed building" or the floor level is excessively higher than the neighbours or the proposal would breach a condition of a previous planning permission then as I said earlier I can't see an issue.

I have a Section 5 declaration from my local council (on behalf of a client) that a new door at ground floor level on gable wall is exempt. I have also seen at least 2 determinations by ABP confirming same for other properties in different parts of the country. I have no idea why citycentre was subject to enforcement proceedings but perhaps they could elaborate.

Maximus_1 · 17-05-2025 03:41PM

Thanks again Muffler

Planning for dormer and window in gable

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