velux windows to front in conservation areas

[jocelyn plummer]

Could somebody remind me what the general policy is regarding velux windows to front of the slate roof in conservation areas.

Our Neighbours are doing a loft conversion, which is fine, but the plans show a velux window to the front. Most of the late, unlisted, Victorian houses on this side of our street have slate roofs and there are no velux windows scarring them. There is one to the front in a similar property just opposite, probably done about 8 years ago.

The other windows(wooden ) are gable, slate and lead finish to the back. Hopefully they will simply look out across the top of our garden and treetops, not directly downwards.

 

[Moo]

Someone else will come along with a definitive answer to the planning issue, Joss, but I can at least set your mind at rest on the question of privacy.
In our last house we had veluxes installed in an extension that overlooked our neighbour's garden. The only way we could see said garden (or, in fact, anything lower than the top of his roof) was by standing on a (tall) ladder, opening the velux, and leaning out.

xxx M

 

[Feltwell]

I'm not in a conservation area, when we re-did our roof we replaced the original (badly corroded) rooflights and installed a new one on the side elevation. No PP required but I don't know for a conservation area.

Normal Velux windows look horrible in my opinion - our neighbour has them, totally out of place on a Victorian building. The "conservation" ones from Velux are little better.

We went with ones from The Rooflight Company. Up close from the inside they are not perfect, but certainly are much better than Velux's offering. From the outside, at ground level, they look great. Of course, they are much more expensive than a standard Velux

http://www.therooflightcompany.co.uk/d/331/the_Conservation_Rooflight.html

 

[rogerh]

Conservation Areas offer virtually no protection to unlisted buildings other than concerning demolition (trees have more protection). Unless your Local Authority has an Article 4 for windows the changes will come under permitted development rights.

Conservation area consent is required for the total or substantial demolition (see note 1 below) of any unlisted building in a conservation area, subject to exceptions including:

* any building with a total cubic content not exceeding 115 cubic metres, using external measurements, or any part of such a building;
* any gate, wall, fence, or other such structure which is less than 1 metre high where abutting on a highway (including a public footpath or bridleway), waterway or open space, or less than 2 metres high in any other case; unless an Article 4(2) direction is in place (see note 2).

1. Examples of substantial demolition include the following:
* works which amount to a clearing of the site for redevelopment;
* works comprising demolition falling short of complete destruction of a building such as demolition behind a retained façade;
* works comprising demolition of a principal external wall or roof of the building on any elevation.

2. Please note that some minor proposals which may involve demolition, for example the removal of boundary walls, doors and windows, can require an application for planning permission. This will be the case where the Council as the local planning authority, has introduced an Article 4(2) direction.This is a special form of planning control which the Council can introduce to remove permitted development rights in order to prevent the loss of architectural features. If in any doubt, it is advisable to check with the Council whether you require permission.