Planning Permission for Windows and Doors

Depending on the type of property, obtaining planning permission may be necessary for your glazing project. Regulations vary based on the following categories:

Not Listed Houses and Flats Not Located in a Conservation Area

Homeowners have the freedom to update their windows and doors without requiring formal permissions. However, it’s crucial to note that all replacement windows and doors fall under building control regulations. This means they must adhere to thermal performance and safety standards. If homeowners choose a FENSA registered company for installation, the installer must ensure compliance with building control regulations and certify the work with the local authority’s building control office.

Planning Permission for Not Listed Houses in a Conservation Area

Normally, planning permission isn’t required for altering windows and doors in a dwelling house (excluding flats or maisonettes) within a conservation area, provided they match the existing ones in material and appearance. For instance, if the current windows are timber, the new ones must also be timber, and if they’re sliding sash windows, the replacements must match. However, there’s an exception: if the property is subject to an Article 4 Direction, planning permission is needed in all cases.

An Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights, necessitating a planning application for changes that wouldn’t typically require one. Typically, planning applications for properties covered by Article 4 are only successful when the new windows closely resemble the existing ones in both style and materials.

Not Listed Flats in a Conservation Area

Planning rules vary for different types of properties, with flats, maisonettes, and commercial buildings typically requiring planning permission for alterations. However, changing windows and doors is often an exception, subject to local authority policies. In many areas, if a flat is in a conservation area, planning permission may not be needed for window and door changes if they match the originals. Yet, an Article 4 Direction can override this, requiring permission in all cases.

Planning Permissions for Listed Buildings of Any Type

For listed buildings, changing windows and doors requires planning permission and listed building consent, with strict rules to preserve architectural heritage. While vacuum glass may be suitable for Grade 2 listed buildings, Grade 2* and Grade 1 properties often allow only single glazing. Conservation officers may mandate traditional ‘hand-drawn’ glazing. Generally, replacements are only approved if they match the appearance and materials of the originals, prohibiting changes like switching from timber to uPVC.

Double Glazing in Heritage Not Listed Properties
Using double glazing in a period property is allowed without planning permission, regardless of whether it’s situated in a conservation area. However, if you’re in a conservation area with an Article 4 Direction, planning permission is required. The local conservation officer decides on glazing choices, prioritizing the preservation of original details like slimline glazing over energy efficiency. Hence, meeting with the conservation officer beforehand to explore options is recommended before submitting a full application.

Double Glazing in Heritage Listed Properties
Grade 1 and 2* listed buildings typically cannot incorporate double glazing in replacement windows, nor replace historically significant windows, such as those original to the property. Grade 2 listed buildings may, however, be allowed to use vacuum double glazing. Yet, it’s often preferable to opt for heritage-appropriate glazing like ultra-thin vacuum glazing.

Ultimately, your local conservation officer determines the suitable glazing type, so it’s advisable to discuss options before applying. Preservation of historic windows and avoiding any “harm” from changes are key considerations, and each planning officer may have their own interpretation. In summary, replacing windows in a listed building can be challenging, but not impossible.

The Belgravia Group

Sky House, Amersham

4.8 21 reviews

Carolyn Berg ★★★★★ 7 months ago
We visited the showroom at IQ Glass and Mariusz and his team fitted our beautiful sliding aluminium doors. We had an issue with them and they came and sorted it – they are great … More guys and we love our doors. I recommend this company.
Anonymous ★★★★★ 3 months ago
Lovely company to work with and a fabulous product. The team were efficient and polite, a pleasure to work with. The end-to-end process was smooth and fast and the quality of the … More doors is phenomenal, far superior to most other places we tried.
Guy Cunningham ★★★★★ 7 months ago
Excellent company, can’t rate them highly enough. Mariusz and his team took on the job of replacing all our windows and doors. They were highly efficient, competitively priced and the … More after care service was extremely good, sorting out the few snagging issues we had without any problem. We would recommend this company very highly.