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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In not wanting a tree house overlooking my garden

219 replies

Isthisallowed · 05/03/2021 18:01

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 posts:
MrsExpo · 07/03/2021 06:55

We had exactly the same happen to us and it was awful having an audience while we cut the grass.

Absolutely you need planning permission for this structure. Believe me, we found that out the hard way. Report to your local council.

daisypond · 07/03/2021 07:20

Absolutely you need planning permission for this structure.

What structure?

Dingleydel · 07/03/2021 07:33

Blimey planning permission for tree houses Confused. It’s a fuss over nothing, because when the leaves sprout you won’t see them and they won’t see you. Like others said the novelty may wear off once. YABU to ask them not to climb a tree in their garden.

Pimlicojo · 07/03/2021 07:34

Why are so many people ignoring the fact that it isn't a tree house? It's just a big ladder.

Stickytreacle · 07/03/2021 07:45

Anything with a platform (which broad steps would be classed as) is supposed to have planning

"The 2008 Town and Country Planning Act (General Permitted Development) Amendment regards ‘any’ tree-house (raised platform, balcony or veranda) as development – and therefore requiring planning permission –Prior to the 2008 amendment ‘permitted development’ rights existed and planning permission was not [necessarily] required.

The reality for most parents is that your common or garden tree-house is likely to comprise a simple rope ladder and a number of pieces of reclaimed timber (perhaps a recycled brick pallet or two), held together with an assortment of nails and sisal twine perched in the bowl of a suitable tree. The reality is that the construction of such a platform is a bit of weekend fun which could (if the local council demand it) be taken down in a heartbeat and without any pain or suffering..."

WildfirePonie · 07/03/2021 07:51

Bamboo in pots. 6ft +

ElephantBabies · 07/03/2021 07:52

I think some people on here think that the little darlings be up there in their makeshift treehouse reading Enid Blyton books.*

Reminds me of my childhood...

daisypond · 07/03/2021 07:53

We have no idea if the OP’s description of the ladder is accurate. Bearing in mind her calling it a treehouse when it clearly isn’t makes you doubt the description of the ladder. There is no platform in the tree. The “treehouse” doesn’t exist. Broad wide ladder steps - I’m imagining something the width of a piece of decking.

AIMD · 07/03/2021 08:08

@WildfirePonie

Bamboo in pots. 6ft +
Not to derail but is this easy to grow and looks ok? I have an ugly space I want to cover
Hollyhead · 07/03/2021 08:36

What would you be doing if the neighbours DC could climb the tree to the height they’re playing at without any structures?

Poorlykitten · 07/03/2021 08:43

I think ignore it, a couple of weeks down the line and the children will be ‘over’ their tree house and on to the next thing...

MoonlightFlitwick · 07/03/2021 08:53

I would hate this.
But your neighbours haven't done anything wron.
If I could afford it, in your situation I would put up the sails on pulleys suggested earlier,add screening to my fence and/or ask the neighbours if they would mind putting some sort of screen in the part of the tree facing my house. I would offer to pay for the screen.

ElsieMc · 07/03/2021 09:49

I don't think you will get the outcome you want op because they have gone ahead and breached your privacy without any care for you. Don't rely on them getting fed up because better weather and longer days are coming when you should be able to use your own garden without being stared at. I cannot believe the posters who say they would be ok with this. Who on earth wants their right to peace and privacy in their own home taken away from them.

I agree with pp's - do have a word but be prepared to take it further.

daisypond · 07/03/2021 10:29

I cannot believe the posters who say they would be ok with this.

No one has really said they would be OK with it or that they would like it, just that you don’t have any rights to do anything about it. By all means, the OP can go and chat to the neighbour and mention her concerns. My neighbour built an extension, for which they got pp. I don’t like that at all - it makes a whole side of my house and garden very dark, and staring out of the kitchen window onto a huge brick wall just feet away makes me miserable - but they still were within their rights to build it.

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 07/03/2021 10:46

Not sure if i have missed this part... How long are their kids actually spending in the tree? And are they really actually watching you? If they are either you must be really interesting or they must be incredibly bored. If they are just hanging out there chatting i wouldn't mind although i am not precious about having privacy in my garden as i don't do anything that interesting. If they are being rude or there is any anti social behaviour i would speak to their parents about that.

Weebleonaworkout · 07/03/2021 10:50

I'd position my bbq right at the end of my garden (because I wouldn't want all of the smoke to go inside my house). Only if I was really bothered by the intrusion though. You could grow black bamboo (in pots) along the end boundary. That grows fast and tall I believe .

Farthingale · 07/03/2021 11:19

I think they'll get bored of it, especially when you are in the garden and can see them. It might not be that relaxing for them if you are looking at them

SoupDragon · 07/03/2021 11:21

I think there is a fair chance it will be used a lot in summer, especially if they have friends round.

Poorlykitten · 07/03/2021 12:26

Our neighbours built a really fancy tree house, on stilts. The boys never use it.

Farthingale · 07/03/2021 13:13

Go over to them and say you're delighted you'll be able to chat to them more easily now as you are very friendly. Then chat to them about washing powder and shrubs

Bluntness100 · 07/03/2021 13:21

@billy1966

OP, I feel really sorry for you.

This is the action of selfish people.

It couldn't happen to me in my garden but it would piss me off so much.

I think gardens are private spaces and what they are doing at the very end of their huge garden on top of your tiny one would give me the absolute rage.

There is NO way I would accept it.

Call on them and tell them clearly.
Report them to the council.

Do not accept this.

There is a type of person that would send a bunch of children to their very far end of their garden, to a structure right on top of a neighbours garden of very short depth, to overlook another garden.

So selfish.

Position your sprinkler at this end of the garden would be my solution.

YANBU.
Flowers

This can’t be serious? For basically putting a ladder uo so the kids can sit in the branches of the tree? 😱

Op, the kids aren’t interested in you or your house. And they won’t be up there all day every day, their parents habe just made sure they are safe in getting up there.

Bluntness100 · 07/03/2021 13:21

@SoupDragon

I think there is a fair chance it will be used a lot in summer, especially if they have friends round.
Doubt it, it’s not a tree house, they sit in the branches,
DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 07/03/2021 18:44

Haven't you heard of supersoakers? 🤣 You could have a lot of fun!

Peff68 · 07/03/2021 20:30

You could pop round and maybe politely ask them to put a screen on side of platform that faces your garden so you still have privacy. Bamboo roll screens are quite cheap.

WildfirePonie · 08/03/2021 07:36

I don't know how easy it is to grow but it's easy to buy them that tall or taller. Just make sure you don't get the spreading type otherwise it'll grow everywhere. Best kept in pots if you're unsure.

I think bamboo looks great and it's evergreen so you'll have cover year round.