I am having trouble with my local planning department as to the definition of balcony. I am constructing a recess within an existing pitched roof to be used as as an outside terrace. The terrace is outside a patio door serving the adjacent first floor room in a loft conversion. I maintain that this is a recessed terrace. The planners, however, say that this is a balcony, and as such requires planning permission.
All the definitions that I have found define a balcony as a projection from a wall. Does anyone have any thoughts, please.