Rear extensions, doors on side elevation

[ban-all-sheds]

So - given an L shaped extension on the rear of a semi, extending further on the side away from the middle of the two houses, - is a door allowed on the side facing the neighbour's garden?

I always thought not, but after this exchange:

//www.diynot.com/forums/building-regs-planning/pre-application-advice.391145/#3030023

I'm wondering if I'm wrong, or if masona is wrong, or if it varies from authority to authority....

 

[tony1851]

There is no specific 'rule'(in Planning terms) against having a door on the side elevation - it's down to how your planning officer sees it.

However, if the side wall is nearer than 1m to the boundary, fire regs come into play and any 'unprotected area' (ie door or window) more than 1sq. m. in area is not permitted. This rules out a door within 1m of the boundary.

If you're further away than 1m, it's not a problem.

 

[markstone80]

We recently obtained pp and we're told that the door needed to be 1m away from our neighbours due fire regs.

Hope that helps.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

OK - so, with something like this:

there's no blanket ban on having a door in the wall highlighted in red, but if my council don't allow it then so be it.

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[jeds]

There's no reason to not allow it. Doors are very (very, very, very) common in that situation.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hmm.

From

Hillingdon Design and Accessibility Statement (HDAS)
Supplementary Planning Document
Residential Extensions

"No window or door should overlook a neighbouring property."

Googling that exact phrase doesn't find a single other example of it.

Changing the search to https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=(...erlooking+(neighbouring+OR+adjacent)+property finds what might be similar-looking guidance, but I've not read any of the other documents in detail.

Mainly because I don't see the point - I thought I remembered the restriction which my council has, hence my original Q, but I guess that councils can make whatever rules they like, even if they're the only one in the whole country to have a given rule.

I'm sure life will be too short to try and do anything about it.

 

[markstone80]

Just because the door is in the side of the house doesn't mean it would automatically be overlooking a neighbour. Mine approved plans have a new door exiting to the side alleyway between houses. My view from the door is a brick wall.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If I had a door there it would be overlooking my neighbour's conservatory/garden, subject to any fence or wall either of us might erect on the boundary.

Mind you - either of us could stand in our gardens and do the same, and their conservatory does not have obscure glass.

I don't think I'd want a door there enough to want to go into battle.

 

[jeds]

Permitted development rules, for example, do not restrict doors or windows facing boundaries at ground floor level. They do however restrict them at first floor level and above. Most houses have 2m high privacy panels which avoids any direct overlooking. My advice is put a couple up yourself.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Permitted development rules, for example, do not restrict doors or windows facing boundaries at ground floor level.

Most houses have 2m high privacy panels which avoids any direct overlooking. My advice is put a couple up yourself.

There's already a 6' fence there, and we're going to extend it further along the garden anyway.