Do I Need Planning Permission For Double Glazing?
One of the most common questions raised about double glazed windows is whether you need to get planning permission for them.
As a general rule, none is needed for minor home improvements. You are free to upgrade from regular to double glazed windows or install replacements anytime without a permit.
Exceptions do apply however.
If you live in a shared or rented property, you have to obtain not only freeholder’s permission but also planning permission. As opposed to owned houses, flats are not accorded any property development rights. Moreover, you must conform to existing style, color and material specifications.
If your home is a Grade I or Grade II* listed property, there is little chance that you will be permitted to install double glazed windows. The structures are deemed to be of exceptional interest and more than special interest, and they are subject to many limitations involving both the property interiors and exteriors.
You may find the restrictions governing a Grade II listed building less stringent in that they apply largely to preserving the faade. This does not mean though that you are free to do as you please with indoor renovations.
While permanent alterations are outright prohibited, the good news is that some leeway may be given for non-permanent renovations. You need to obtain planning permission for the latter. Realistically, the most that you will be allowed to do on most listed properties is secondary double glazing. By adding a sheet of glass to the existing windows, you are able to insulate the house while preserving the original look of the building.
If your house is located on designated land, you will have to contact your local planning authority for permission as well. Conservation areas, World Heritage sites and National Parks form part of designated lands, and they are preserved as much as possible for their historic and architectural importance. Consent is needed before you can carry out any sort of alterations and repairs.
To sum up, there are three common cases when obtaining a planning permission for double glazing is necessary: when you want to install double glazed windows on a flat, when your property is listed, or when your house occupies designated land.
Home improvement is not an exact science however, and nothing is cast in stone. As such, consider it a wise advice to do some research and check with local planning authorities before you proceed with your double glazing project. (replacing bay windows? www.upvcwindowsfitted.co.uk/how-much-do-bay-windows-cost)
