IMM wrote:

"neil leslie" wrote in message
...

The previous owner of my flat blocked up the origianl kitchen door that
gave entrance to the kitchen from the hall and made entry from another
room [a room that I will use as a bedroom]. My plan is to block up the
new doorway and open up the original door once more. I have presented
plans to Building Control at my local council. They seem to be ok with
the door being replaced but the problem, and I did not see this coming,
is with the layout I propose for the refit of the kitchen. The kitchen
is tiny, about 5 ft by 7 ft, and Building Control say I should have
unobstructed access to the window for cleaning.


This is balls. If this was so, few new houses would have kitchens.


This scuppers things as
I can't have my sink or any base unit in front of the window. None of
the kitchen planners I've had plans from pointed this out and the vast
majority of kitchens I've been in do have units/sinks in front of the
window. Suggestions as to how to proceed most welcome.


Why did you go to building control? Block up a door which already has a
lintel and opening up an old door which I assume already has a lintel is not
structural and a minor affair. I am surprised they were interested. In new
houses it is near impossible to clean kitchen windows unless you are 7 foot
tall and can lean over the units and reach the top of the window. A small
foot ladder gives access to the window for just about everyone.



I contacted Building Control to see if I needed their consent as I was
concernred about selling the flat in years to come if I made any
alterations without permission.