
In normal circumstances, you can replace or add new windows in the original walls of your house without needing planning approval or Building Regulations Approval as long as your builder or window fitter is FENSA certified (which we are). However, you may need planning permission if conditions were attached to the original permission or if you own a listed building, a building in an area of outstanding natural beauty or in a national park.
Even if your house is quite modern a new bay window will be considered a small extension and therefore may need planning permission, so it is best to check this too. You may also want to check with your local council if the replacement doors or windows will look very different to those used in the original construction.
It may seem irritating to have to do this but think of it as a step which ensures our beautiful area stays that way. It’s about balancing what makes your home habitable with its historic significance.
Listed Building Consent is required to change the window design of a listed building. If your home does not have Permitted Development Rights you may also need Planning Permission.
It can seem daunting but there is a lot of information out there to guide you through this process. The planning department of your local authority will need to give you permission to make these changes. If you’re not sure which council you fall under have a look at who you pay your council tax to, in areas near us it will usually be Craven District Council or Bradford Council.
What are Permitted Development Rights?
These are changes you can make to your home without consent or permission from your local council, for example, a small extension or changing your windows. However, if you live in the National Park, a World Heritage Site or an AONB you will not have Permitted Development Rights. You can read more about Permitted Development Rights here.
In Listed Buildings, there can be designs specific to the period the property was constructed. You’ll often be expected to keep these features and your windows will have to be made from timber and not aluminium or uPVC. As a company who makes our timber window frames bespoke on site, that’s why we work on so many listed buildings.
Even if your house is quite modern a new bay window will be considered a small extension and therefore may need planning permission, so it is best to check this too. You may also want to check with your local council if the replacement doors or windows will look very different to those used in the original construction.
It may seem irritating to have to do this but think of it as a step which ensures our beautiful area stays that way. It’s about balancing what makes your home habitable with its historic significance.
Listed Building Consent is required to change the window design of a listed building. If your home does not have Permitted Development Rights you may also need Planning Permission.
It can seem daunting but there is a lot of information out there to guide you through this process. The planning department of your local authority will need to give you permission to make these changes. If you’re not sure which council you fall under have a look at who you pay your council tax to, in areas near us it will usually be Craven District Council or Bradford Council.
What are Permitted Development Rights?
These are changes you can make to your home without consent or permission from your local council, for example, a small extension or changing your windows. However, if you live in the National Park, a World Heritage Site or an AONB you will not have Permitted Development Rights. You can read more about Permitted Development Rights here.
In Listed Buildings, there can be designs specific to the period the property was constructed. You’ll often be expected to keep these features and your windows will have to be made from timber and not aluminium or uPVC. As a company who makes our timber window frames bespoke on site, that’s why we work on so many listed buildings.
Craven District Council offer a fantastic service for residents of the area in which you can pop in to a ‘drop in meeting’ with a Planning Officer on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. More details can be found here.
Once you know you can proceed with replacing your doors or windows they must meet Building Regulations. These are simply certain standards that need to be met such as thermal efficiency, fire safety and ventilation. As a certified installer, however, we can advise on how our doors and windows meet these standards.
So don’t worry! A listed building or a home in a protected area does not mean you can’t change your windows and doors. It just means being mindful of your surroundings when choosing the design. Whether your replacing old windows and doors, building a new home or renovating an old building contact us to see how we can help. We can also provide cross sections and 3D drawings to help with planning applications.
Once you know you can proceed with replacing your doors or windows they must meet Building Regulations. These are simply certain standards that need to be met such as thermal efficiency, fire safety and ventilation. As a certified installer, however, we can advise on how our doors and windows meet these standards.
So don’t worry! A listed building or a home in a protected area does not mean you can’t change your windows and doors. It just means being mindful of your surroundings when choosing the design. Whether your replacing old windows and doors, building a new home or renovating an old building contact us to see how we can help. We can also provide cross sections and 3D drawings to help with planning applications.