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Privacy Protection in Residential Extensions
B28Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)
Except in the most isolated rural location, few households can claim not to be overlooked to some degree. The protection of the privacy of the occupants of residential properties is an important eleme
dwellingextensionprivacyresidential-amenitySpacing Between Buildings to Minimize Overlooking
B29Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)
Proposals should seek to provide reasonable space between buildings in order to minimise overlooking. This will also assist in providing acceptable levels of daylight to properties. In the case of dor
dwellingextensionprivacyresidential-amenityGarden Privacy and Overlooking
B30Antrim and Newtownabbey·LDP 2030 Plan Strategy (adopted 2025)
Overlooking of gardens may be unacceptable where it would result in an intrusive, direct and uninterrupted view from a main room, to the most private area of the garden, which is often the main sittin
dwellingextensionprivacyresidential-amenityexternal-spacePrivacy - Overlooking Risks and Mitigation
A28NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations
Except in the most isolated rural location, few households can claim not to be overlooked to some degree. The protection of the privacy of the occupants of residential properties is an important eleme
dwellingresidential-extensionsprivacyexternal-spacePrivacy - Spacing and Dormer Windows
A29NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations
Proposals should seek to provide reasonable space between buildings in order to minimise overlooking. This will also assist in providing acceptable levels of daylight to properties. In the case of dor
dwellingresidential-extensionsprivacyglazingexternal-spacePrivacy - Garden Overlooking
A30NI-wide·PPS 7 Addendum Residential Extensions and Alterations
Overlooking of gardens may be unacceptable where it would result in an intrusive, direct and uninterrupted view from a main room, to the most private area of the garden, which is often the main sittin
dwellingresidential-extensionsprivacyexternal-spacePrivacy considerations in residential development
3.1.30Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
While in most urban areas, few households can claim not to be overlooked to some degree, the protection of privacy for the occupants of residential properties is an important element of the quality of
dwellingresidentialprivacyOverlooking potential and mitigation measures
3.1.31Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Balconies, roof terraces, decking, dormer windows, windows in side elevations and conservatories all have the potential to cause overlooking problems, due to their position and orientation, particular
dwellingresidentialprivacydesignPolicy RD1 - Privacy and amenity requirements for new residential developments
RD1(B)Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Does not unduly affect the privacy or amenity of neighbouring residents, including overlooking, loss of light, overshadowing, dominance, noise or other disturbance
dwellingresidentialprivacyamenitypolicyWindow orientation for privacy and surveillance
3.1.32Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In some instances an acceptable solution may be achieved through the orientation of windows that are capable of both maintaining privacy and provide natural surveillance on to the street. In the case
dwellingresidentialprivacydesignSpacing between buildings to minimise overlooking
3.1.33Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
Notwithstanding this, all proposals should seek to provide reasonable space between buildings in order to minimise overlooking. This will also assist in providing acceptable levels of daylight to prop
dwellingresidentialprivacydaylightdesignSeparation distances between facing windows in residential development
3.1.34Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In general, a separation of no less than 20 metres should be maintained between facing windows of the main habitable rooms (i.e. bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms or kitchens). Where windows face a
dwellingresidentialprivacyaccessReduced separation distances below 20m
3.1.36Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
In such instances, separation distances of less than 20m may be deemed appropriate. However this would be determined on a case-by-case basis and would need to be justified by a way of a thorough analy
dwellingresidentialaccessprivacyOverlooking of existing gardens
3.1.37Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
The overlooking of existing gardens is particularly important in this context and may be unacceptable where new development proposed would result in an intrusive, direct and uninterrupted view from a
dwellingresidentialprivacyBoundary treatments for protecting garden privacy
3.1.38Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
This is often the main outdoor seating area adjacent to the property of your neighbours' house and, as a general rule of thumb, is the first 3-4 metres of a rear garden, closest to the residential pro
dwellingresidentialexternal-spaceprivacyBalcony design and screening requirements
3.1.67Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design
These minimum areas and dimensions should provide sufficient space for a small table and chairs, screened clothes drying or for residents and visitors to relax. Balconies with a larger floor area of g
flatsresidential-designexternal-spaceprivacySide walls, windows and privacy protection
4.1.20Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Care must also be taken to avoid overlooking and it is also preferable that side walls of extensions should be of a solid finish (except for conservatories). Where windows facing a shared boundary are
dwellingresidential-extensionprivacyBoundary screening, obscured glazing and detached property exceptions
4.1.21Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
The use of boundary screening or obscured glazing may be acceptable. Exceptions may also be applied in respect of detached properties. This will be dependent on the size of the plot, separation distan
dwellingresidential-extensionprivacyPrivacy considerations for residential extensions and alterations
4.3.8Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Although in urban areas few households can claim not to be overlooked to some degree, the protection of the privacy of the occupants of residential properties is an important element of the quality of
dwellingprivacyextensionUse of obscure glass and high-level windows
4.3.9Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
The use of obscure glass, velux windows and high-level windows in appropriate circumstances can often minimise this potential. However, this is not considered acceptable for windows serving main rooms
dwellingprivacyglazingextensionWindow orientation for privacy and surveillance
4.3.10Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
In some instances an acceptable solution may be achieved through the orientation of windows that are capable of both maintaining privacy and providing natural surveillance on to the street.
dwellingprivacyextensionBuilding spacing and dormer window design
4.3.11Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Notwithstanding this, all proposals should seek to provide reasonable space between buildings in order to minimise overlooking. This will also assist in providing acceptable levels of daylight to prop
dwellingprivacydaylightextensionOverlooking of gardens
4.3.12Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Overlooking of gardens may also be unacceptable where it would result in an intrusive, direct and uninterrupted view of a main room or to the most private area of the garden, which is often the main s
dwellingprivacyexternal-spaceextensionSeparation distances for windows overlooking adjacent properties
4.3.13Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Windows in elevations that overlook adjacent properties will not normally be approved unless there is adequate separation distance between the host dwelling and its neighbours. In general, a separatio
dwellingresidential-extensionglazingprivacyReduced separation distances for single storey extensions with boundary treatments
4.3.14Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
In the case of single storey extensions, a smaller separation distance may be acceptable where problems of overlooking can be overcome using suitable boundary treatments. Where this provides a design
dwellingresidential-extensionsingle-storeyprivacyCase-by-case assessment where separation distances cannot be achieved
4.3.16Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Where this cannot be achieved each proposal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and would need to be justified by a way of a thorough analysis of sunlight/daylight levels, orientation of buildin
dwellingresidential-extensionprivacyPrivacy and Separation Distances
4.3.17Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations
Proposals that fail to achieve a high quality residential environment or that are likely to result in a significant loss of privacy or overlooking, particularly of existing properties, will not be acc
dwellingresidential-extensionsprivacy