In not wanting a tree house overlooking my garden

[Isthisallowed]

NC as could be outing! One of my neighbour's has a garden that backs on to the bottom of my garden. No problem with that of course and there's a fence for privacy. They have decided to build an 8 foot structure though, so their children can access the tree to 'hang out' in the very broad branches. It now feels like an observation tower as the tree is right on the boundary so looks over my whole garden and into my kitchen and childrens' bedrooms. WIBU to ask them to remove the platform and therefore access to to tree?

OP, I’d hate this too. You could speak to them but if it’s tgebonly tree I’m not sure they’d help much.
Add trellis to the fence? Bamboo plants in (tall!) pots? Or even a tall grass in a tall pot?

Not a great sketch but pretty much to scale!

Their house on the left and mine is facing the trees. My garden is about 20feet wide at the bottom.

We have a tree house in our garden, on the boundary. We had to apply for planning permission for it before we built it. I think that's the case for any raised platform above a certain height (can't remember what the height limit is before you need permission, but I recall it's quite low, maybe 60cm).

Any structure that high and close to the boundary needs pp.

That is so selfish. They have that huge space and they are encroaching on the little space you have. Some people are so entitled and inconsiderate.

I disagree with you on the basis of your awful sketch 😜

that sketch took 2 attempts

@Isthisallowed

that sketch took 2 attempts

You need some good old school graph paper!

Why can't they build it in the middle.
Maybe there isn't a tree in the middle?

You get a YANBU because it sounds like the tree is a nuisance kids or no! Roots interfering with your garden, and branches overhanging too?

If it's just gone up then maybe wait to see what happens. We put a big one up in a tree and after the initial excitement they hardly used it, sadly 🥲

We had an issue a few years back when someone in our street spent £££ on a treehouse in their front garden. They applied for retrospective planning permission and were refused. Someone had objected Everyone assumed neighbours across the road . It caused massive ill feeling and basically split the street for years afterwards. They had to take it down eventually.

Yes the roots are a problem but I've only been here a few months and it's my safe space after divorcing my abusive ex. Didn't really want neighbour hassle.

I don’t think you have a leg to stand on with this. They haven’t built a treehouse. They haven’t built a structure. They have just put up what is effectively a ladder against their own tree. The branches overhanging your property you do have something to argue against.

Oh it’s just kids playing, they’ll soon get bored. You sound a bit miserable, what are you doing that requires so much privacy from children?!

We needed planning permission for one we had built at our last house.

A chance for your kids to join in? It doesn't sound like they've built an actual structure that would require planning. Honestly though the kids will tire of it fairly quickly.

Can't believe the number of posters saying YANBU. You want to complain about kids climbing a tree in their own garden?!

@Isthisallowed

Yes the roots are a problem but I've only been here a few months and it's my safe space after divorcing my abusive ex. Didn't really want neighbour hassle.

I saw what you did there and I am not keen on it.

Kids being allowed to roam and enjoy their garden has nothing to do with your ex.

Some people are seriously missing the empathy chip in their brain. Most people value their privacy, I know I do. I can't imagine how much more important this would be after leaving an abusive relationship and wanting a safe space to recover.

You sound a bit jealous OP.

it's great that kids are being creative and playing outside - much better than staying inside on a. screen all day.

If your neighbours have the first of these, YANBU, but I'd be sending my kids round to play too! If it's the second, YABU. I'd still be sending my kids round to play. Your neighbours might invite you into their huge garden to sit at the other end of it and drink wine while the kids all go and play in their tree. Or you could be the miserable woman who lives next door. I know which one I'd rather be!

Some people are seriously missing the empathy chip in their brain.

Yes, you! Empathy for children playing in their own garden. The neighbours have done nothing wrong here. I live in a terraced house, and all gardens are overlooked where I live.

Don’t be miserable.