Do I Need Planning Permission for Windows?

Finding out when you need planning permission and when you don’t can be complicated, but without it you could be risking legal action and may be forced to undo all your new work! Follow our simple guide below to give you an idea of when you might and might not need planning permission for your new doors and windows. This is simply a guide for information purposes and we always recommend checking with your local council and planning authority before you begin any work – just to be sure. Planning Permission for Doors and Window As a general rule, you will not normally be required to obtain planning permission for: •General repairs and maintenance, such as repainting frames. •The installation of new doors and windows which are very similar to the existing ones. •Roof windows and skylights, so long as they do not protrude more than 150mm beyond the roof line, are no higher than the highest part of the roof and if they are in side elevation roof slope, they must be obscure-glazed. In some areas, however, your council may have made an Article 4 Direction which withdraws normal permitted development rights and you should always check before you begin any work, no matter how minor. Also, if your home is classified as a listed building you will need to obtain special listed building consent, for any work to be carried out – whether it falls within the above generally permitted work or not. Building Regulations for Doors and Windows On the 1st of April 2002, new building regulations were introduced that are relevant to all replacement glazing, concerning: Thermal glazing performance & heat loss: Your new windows and doors must be energy efficient and should offer a specific U-Value to prove they aren’t loosing too much heat through the glass or frames Safety: Safety glazing must be installed if the window below 800mm from floor level, is 300mm or less from a door and up to 1500mm from floor level. Air supply & ventilation: Windows and doors must provide ventilation depending on the use and size of the room, eg. Windows in a kitchen where steam will be produced should offer higher ventilation than bedrooms. Means of escape & fire Safety: When any new window is installed, it should provide the same potential to escape as the window it is replacing. So long as you use a registered competent person, they will be able to carry out the replacement without prior consent from the council, and provide you with a certificate to prove the work was completed by a registered installer. If your installer is not registered, you can obtain approval from your local authority, who will check the new windows and doors and issue a certificate of compliance.

For more information on Do I Need Planning Permission for Windows? talk to Victory Windows International Ltd