Overlooking and Privacy Planning Objections

Protecting Your Home From Unacceptable Loss of Privacy

If a proposed development would allow neighbours to look directly into your home, garden, or private spaces, you may have strong grounds to object. Overlooking and loss of privacy are major planning concerns, and planning authorities must consider the impact on residential amenity.

Cedar Planning prepares clear, evidence-led privacy and overlooking objections that highlight unacceptable impacts and demonstrate where proposals fail to comply with planning policy and design guidance.

We support homeowners, neighbours, community groups and parish councils throughout England.

Why Overlooking and Privacy Issues Matter in Planning

Local planning authorities must ensure new development does not:

• Create direct overlooking into neighbouring homes

• Result in unacceptable views into gardens or sitting-out areas

• Reduce the privacy of bedrooms, living rooms or bathrooms

• Enable perceived surveillance that erodes residential amenity

• Introduce balconies, terraces or elevated platforms facing neighbours

• Reduce privacy through side windows or excessive glazing

Most councils rely on:

• Local Plan residential amenity policies

• Design guides requiring minimum separation distances

• Overlooking/privacy standards (typically 21–25 metres but varies between Councils)

• Tests for oblique vs direct views

We apply these standards directly to your situation to present a strong planning case.

Common Types of Overlooking

We prepare objections relating to:

• Two-storey rear or side extensions - New first-floor windows can cause direct overlooking.

• New balconies, terraces or roof decks - These allow high-level views into neighbouring homes.

• New houses close to boundaries - Especially where windows face existing habitable rooms.

• Side-facing windows - Even small windows can be harmful depending on height and angle.

• Three-storey or multi-storey developments - Often create downward overlooking into gardens.

• Proposals on sloping sites - Raised levels can increasing privacy impact.

If your concerns include other issues such as heritage impacts, overdevelopment, or Green Belt impacts, see our full Planning Objections Guide.

What Cedar Planning Can Do for Your Objection

We tailor our service to meet your needs, which may include:

1. Initial Case Review

   • Assessment of planning drawings, supporting documents and planning history to identify relevant issues.

2. Advice on Valid Grounds for Objection

   • Clear explanation of which concerns are material in planning terms. This could also be overshadowing, loss of employment land or Green Belt matters.

3. Professional Written Objection

   • A structured, persuasive objection letter with references to applicable Local Plan Policies.

4. Support for Neighbour and Community Groups

   • Assisting residents’ associations and campaign groups to coordinate consistent, policy-led objections.

5. Planning Committee Support

   • Preparation of committee speech notes or support for attendees where an application is decided by councillors.

Our Process

• Send us the planning reference and a short summary of your concerns.

• We review the application documents and identify planning issues.

• We advise you on your options and the strength of potential objections.

• We prepare your objection, referencing relevant local planning policies.

• We support you through the process, including monitoring amendments or committee involvement if required.

Why Use Cedar Planning for Your Loss of Privacy Planning Objection?

• Policy-led arguments written in professional planning language

• Experience across all London boroughs and familiarity with local design guidance

• Clear, structured representations that officers and councillors can refer to

• Time saved navigating drawings, statements and technical documents

• A constructive, outcome-focused approach aimed at influencing amendments or refusals

Areas We Cover

We provide loss of privacy objection services across all of England, including:

• London (all boroughs)

• Essex

• Hertfordshire

• Suffolk

• Norfolk

• Cambridgeshire

• Surrey

Get a Free Quote

If you’re concerned about loss of privacy from a proposed development, contact us for a free initial review.

Or alternatively, send us an email at info@cedarplanning.co.uk with the relevant information.