minimum distance for windows overlooking neighbour's garden

Ground floor windows Ideally side windows that overlook adjacent homes or gardens should be avoided. However, in some instances a side window to a secondary room, (e.g. hall, bathroom, store room), may be acceptable if there is more than 2m between the properties and obscure glazing is used. A side window at ground floor level may also be acceptable if there is a permanent fence or wall between adjacent properties that is 1.8m (or greater) in height, or where a proposed new window has a cill level in excess of 1.8m above ground level. upper floor windows Again, side windows that overlook adjacent homes or gardens should be avoided, where this is not possible however the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) requires that where an extension has any upper-floor window located in a wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse they must be: (i) obscure-glazed, and (ii) non-opening unless the parts of the window which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed. In most cases the same expectations will be made for any proposal being considered as part of a formal planning application.