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We have submitted plans for an extension and initial feedback is that they will be rejected due to a new window.
The window will be on the side of our house and will overlook a neighbours kitchen, this contravenes a policy on overlooking. As it will only be a guest room we have said we would be happy to have frosted glass and whiclst planners would be happy with this, they point out the frosted glass would only work if the window was shut and as it needs to be an escape route, the window must be able to open.
Ideally we need a window that opens slightly for ventilation and can then be forced open wider for escape. Does this exist and is this sort of thing acceptable to planners?
we live in Scotland and no objections were raised to the plans by neighbours.
Ta
If I were a planner I'd think that the frosted glass could be very easily be changed to clear.
Objections do not override policy. Surely your architect knew that the window would contravene planning?
Architect is pretty rubbish and not really helping at all, he just draws what we ask him to without any real direction or advice role.
Is it a ground floor room? Is there another route (corridor) directly to the outside from that room?
Does it need to be an escape route? If you have fire doors, and sprinklers (which I realise can add cost), the need for escape is negated.
re frosted glass being replaced - you can put caveats into the planning approval that will stop you doing this
Having said all that - having no window would make the room a little odd. But you can get long thin windows above head height (doesn't help with the escape thing)
Could the window be a lockable tilt and turn so that it only vents by the top edge, and can then be unlocked to provide a full escape hole.
Find a better architect?
Is your current one actually an architect or "just" an architectural technician/drafts person? Regardless sounds like they're not giving you the advice a decent architect should be able to provide.
Edit: 3 architects I know of in Edinburgh are Kris Grant, Douglas McGowan and Rod Boyd. First two might only do commercial but I think Rod does domestic
Edit 2: is Velux an option?
Tell the planners it's not openable and tell building control it's a fire escape. They wont talk to each other. Only building control check on site. Planning might check if the neighbour complains but even then may not enforce.