Hello,
We have recently started a kitchen side extension in our house within a conservation area. We are extending out about 2.25m closer to the neighbour’s property. We shall still have 2.1m from the edge of our new extension to the edge of our property with the neighbour on the other side and their kitchen roughly the same distance from their perimeter. We had 3 lovely big windows all along the side of the existing kitchen overlooking the neighbours. The architect said we couldn’t request any windows along the new wall as Planning would always say no due to the neighbours being overlooked.
Jump to 4 weeks’ later and the builders ask, “Are you really not having any windows along the whole wall? It will be like a tunnel with a few roof lights and bifolds at the end but no other windows."
We have never done building works before and so went with the architect but he hasn’t always got it right on the other things we have planning for. I proposed that we put in a planning amendment asking for 1 window down the end of the extension which overlooks the neighbour’s shed. From said window we would be able to look out of it and still see the neighbour’s 2 kitchen windows but set back - i.e. not overlooking but visible. The architect has vehemently said ‘no’ to my request as it will slow the works down and the council will say no. I know it varies by area but I would be grateful to know if people have tried this and got anywhere or if I am on a hiding to nothing.
Thanks in advance and for reading the long message.