Houzz community - has anyone else faced this problem and would you be able to help Lynsey Milne!?

I work for a housebuilder so we come across different planning requirements fairly often. If it's been refused purely on this it's likely that this window overlooks one of your neighbours gardens and would encroach on their privacy - if this is the case you're unlikely to get the decision overturned without some design changes. You could consider a couple of ideas

1) speaking to the planners to see if obscured windows or obscured glass panels would be acceptable

2) Change your plans and opt for Velux windows to allow for additional light in the room.

In either case it's worth trying to engage the planners to understand their reservations about the design and try and work together to find a solution that works for everyone.

It must be very frustrating but whilst the current neighbours might be fine with it, the planners have to protect future neighbours from being overlooked and they have to be careful not to set precedents in an area that could then be used to push through plans on other houses in the area where the neighbours do have objections.

The louvred doors look great - this could be an excellent solution.