Clearview National June 2016 - Issue 175 | Page 48

DOORS&WINDOWS

Looking at Skylight Legislation
»»SUNSQUARE IS THE FIRST AND
only designer and manufacturer of bespoke
skylights to be awarded a BSI Kitemark in the
industry. As an expert in his field Managing
Director of the company, Justin Seldis,
talks through the legislation concerning
installation…
Planning permission can be a sticking point
when it comes to making alterations to any
property. But with skylights, wrangling over
approval is less common than you might
think.
This is usually because a skylight falls in as
part of an already agreed extension, or it’s a
replacement of an existing window. However,
just because it is rare to come up against
objections, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It
is always important to seek advice before you
go ahead with making any changes.
In England and Wales, the insertion of new
roof windows is subject to the current limits
and conditions stipulated by the government’s
Planning Portal. This comes under Schedule
2, article 3, part 1, class C permitted
development.
It states that:
• Any alteration cannot project more than
150 millimetres from the existing roof
plane.
• No alteration can be greater than the
highest part of the existing roof.
• Side-facing windows must be obscure
glazed with any opening to be made 1.7
metres above the floor.
If your project fails to comply with one or
more of the above, then your development
won’t be permitted and a second application

48 » JUN 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

would need to be resubmitted following
amendments to your plans.
Generally, pyramid or lantern skylights
are more of a problem as they stick above
the parapet and can create an eyesore to
neighbours.
If the property is a listed building, or in a
designated conservation area, then you should
check with your local planning authority before
carrying out any work.
Additionally, there may be specific types of
planning restriction that mean certain works,
which could normally be undertaken, will be the
subject of control.
It’s important to note that planning laws
in Scotland are rather different to those in
England and Wales. Planning permission
for roof windows is often required for even
the most straightforward of skylight designs
and Scottish property owners should contact
their local authority to work out the best way
forward.
Similarly, homeowners in Ireland should
also contact their local authority for advice
because failure to obtain permission where it
is required can result in penalties - including
imprisonment.
Building regulations are an issue quite separate
to planning permission and should always be
taken seriously. After all, the removal, addition
or alteration of a skylight can have a detrimental
impact on a roof which can, in turn, make a
building unsafe.
Even if planning permission is not required,
building regulations cannot be ignored.
By law, any building or structural modification
work must comply with building controls that

stipulate minimum standards for design and
safety.
There are two sets of building regu lations
for roofs - work on an existing roof and the
construction of a new roof.
Be sure to pay particular attention to Parts J
and L of Building Regulations; these deal with
energy efficiency, thermal insulation and the
protection of buildings against the threat of
fire.
Approval under the Building Regulations will
generally be needed for the installation of a new
rooflight for the following reasons:
• To install a rooflight in a roof you will often
need to cut part of one or more of the roof’s
rafters or joists away. You will need to fit a
new support for the cut ends of the rafter or
joist in question. Adjacent rafters or joists
may also need strengthening, as they will be
supporting the load transferred from the cut
rafters or joists.
• Any room that a skylight is designed to
serve will also need to be well ventilated.
This can be achieved using the skylight itself
for both rapid and background venting.
• In terms of energy performance, any
window or door must comply with the
minimum requirements of the Building
Regulations in relation to the amount of
heat that can pass through a window or
door, including the frame. This is known
and measured as a U-Value.
• In the event a skylight is in close proximity
to a boundary, its fire performance must
also be taken into consideration.
www.sunsquare.co.uk