122 Tynemouth Road North Shields Tyne And Wear NE30 1EF

Proposal

I am having an en-suite bathroom remodelled, and would like to put a door where there is currently a window, to allow safe exit from the first floor in the case of a fire. The room leads onto a flat roof and I have been advised that there is sufficient drop in height to the flat roof, to provide an ideal 'run' from the bathroom, outdoors. This would require a strengthened platform (to stand safely on the flat roof in the case of an emergency).On this basis, I am requesting that I am able to utilise this opportunity, and make the area into a functioning balcony, with appropriate balustrade and privacy screening. There is little direct sun to the rear yards of our properties. I would like a space that allows for a 'garden' type space, but more importantly, that provides exposure to the sun, as I have chronic psoriasis and sunlight (UVB) is integral to my treatment. In addition, my teenage daughter has developed a severe eating disorder as a result of lockdown; she has been advised to increase her sun exposure, both to increase her vitamin D levels and importantly, to improve her well-being. She has difficulty regulating her body temperature and would benefit from a warm, sunlit, outdoor space (medical records/letter can be provided upon request). To ensure the proposal does not limit the sunlight to neighbouring properties, I placed lengths of aluminium out from the flat roof (mimicking in-part, the proposed deck). This was to follow the path of the sun, and to determine if there is any loss of sun to neighbouring yards; because of the height of the proposed deck, there is not. Effectively, the area is 'dead space' that could be designed and maintained in a way that improves the landscape, and could add 'green space' to promote wildlife (e.g. bees and butterflies). I acknowledge however, the issue of privacy to neighbouring properties and I am happy to install privacy screening, at a height of 1700mm on the adjoining wall to 120 Tynemouth Road, and on the '...