PLANNING CLINIC
If you’re replacing windows or adding new window openings to your home, it’s important to know whether or not either project requires formal planning before you get started, says planning consultant Simon Rix
While planning permission is required for changes to the exterior of a building, including the installation of new windows or changes to existing windows, there are different types of planning permission. There’s the familiar, formal route where a local authority grants planning permission after a planning application. But, there’s also another type of planning permission where there has been a blanket national granting of permission by the government, which allows certain building works to be carried out without a formal planning application. These are known as Permitted Development or PD rights. So, what route do you take when it comes to windows?
CAN YOU UPDATE OR REPLACE WITHOUT A PLANNING APPLICATION?
When you update or replace existing windows, in most cases, a formal planning application is not required and you can carry out the work under Permitted Development.
The rule is that the windows should be of a similar visual appearance to those in the existing house. The key words here are visual appearance. As an example, you may want to replace existing single-pane wood-framed windows with new uPVC doubleglazed windows. Normally this would not require a planning application, even if there weren’t uPVC windows previously. As long as the new windows will look like-for-like, for example in terms of their overall shape and the colour and size of the frames, then it’s unlikely you’ll need a planning application. While they need to look similar, they do not have to be made of the same materials.
If you want to replace your windows with radically different shapes, colours or size, then you would need to make a planning application. But what, I hear you ask, is radically different? Isn’t that a matter of judgement? Yes is the answer to that. And it’s not your judgement that counts, it’s the judgement of the local planning authority. If you want to be sure of that, the best thing to do would be to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate from them. This would provide a legally binding judgement as to whether what you want to do needs a planning application or not. You’ll need to submit proper technical drawings and various forms for this, so you might want to get a planning consultant to help you get it right.
CAN YOU ADD NEW WINDOW OPENINGS WITHOUT A PLANNING APPLICATION?
If you’re introducing new window openings in your house and the windows you install will match the appearance
