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Original poster

Neighbours New Tree house

351 replies

Silvafoxa · 11/01/2022 10:12

Hi,

Just some background. I have DC and we are friendly with neighbours. We live in a semi rural area but our garden is (was) completely private and we enjoy that! especially with lockdown.
There are no other neighbours in close proximity.

So our neighbours started work on a treehouse that is approx 10ft + in a tree at the back of their garden. Our garden and house wraps around the back of the garden.It is at the very bottom of their garden. The tree house is 5ft from out kitchen window and looks directly into it.

It’s all we now see looking out our kitchen window and completely dominates our view (I have shrubs and planting but nowhere nr 15ft to cover).

It also now blocks all light into kitchen. It’s a big shed on stilts with overlooking windows. With added fairy lights. It use to be pitch black outside our window snd it’s lit up in the evenings.

Since it’s been erected random adults have been up and looking through into our house (maybe unintentionally but it’s really not nice).

I spoke to neighbour who said it’s for children and to lighten up. They were very dismissive and said it’s staying.

I just think come summer it’s going to be hell with kids in there so close to our kitchen and patio. They didn’t put it nr their house probably for the same reasons I do not want it so close to mine.

Am I being miserable, it’s such an eyesore ?
Should I report to the council ?

OP posts:
AngelinaFibres · 12/01/2022 19:57

@Silvafoxa

We sent them a photo. They just said that their house was built first and they always planned to put a treehouse there before our property was built. Such an odd response ! We didn’t build our house we purchase it.

Should a build a taller treehouse ? 😂

Buy a really big play castle with crenelated towers your children can climb through and stand on the top. We lived next door to a primary school. They built one next to our fence. It was enormous. Little charmers used to throw their snack wrappers from the towers into our garden and spit.
maybloss2 · 12/01/2022 20:04

Hi op, get one of those security lights that are sensitive to movement and place it so it shines directly into their treehouse. This won’t make your view any better, but will invade their privacy. If they complain just say you need security lighting.or plant some tall bamboo right up against the boundary. Lots grows that tall given the opportunity. Or get a trampoline (if you have the money) for yr kids and place it as near to their house as you can.

alienalan · 12/01/2022 20:14

Have you thought about speaking to a local
Councillor for advice? Tell them what the neighbours said about being 'in' with the planning dept

Londoncallingme · 12/01/2022 20:19

Definitely report it. We didn’t report our neighbours for similar reasons and we had trouble selling because the structure he built overlooked our garden.so many people didn’t put in an offer stating that was the reason. The longer it’s there the harder it will be. Complain now - they obviously don’t give a toss about you anyway!

Juststopamoment · 12/01/2022 20:28

I bet if you were married or had a live in partner they would have at least consulted you. They are taking advantage of the fact you are a single parent. Report them. Who care if they know it’s you; they obviously don’t care about what you think.

DreamTheMoors · 12/01/2022 20:28

We had neighbours like this. We named them “the Demons” — I can’t remember their real name any more. The kids egged houses, firecrackers in the mailboxes, basically terrorised the entire neighbourhood & the parents never punished them, but continuously made excuses for them. Simply appalling adults raising appalling children. I can’t count the number of times the neighbours had to call the police.

We moved due to job transfer, but were so happy to leave that behind.

Decent people wouldn’t react like this. Decent people wouldn’t DO this in the first place.

billy1966 · 12/01/2022 20:29

@alienalan

Have you thought about speaking to a local Councillor for advice? Tell them what the neighbours said about being 'in' with the planning dept
I really agree with this.

Take a few pictures to show just how on top of you the structure is.

If you think it is awful, do not expect it not to seriously devalue your home.

They are CF who think they can intimidate you.
Flowers

Zipper666 · 12/01/2022 20:42

accidents happen...

Neighbours New Tree house
SirChenjins · 12/01/2022 20:44

@Zipper666

accidents happen...
Now that would indeed be a tragedy…
GettingItOutThere · 12/01/2022 20:50

@Silvafoxa

Thanks everyone. The reason why i posted this as I felt so alone with it.

I wouldn’t take it out on the children. They would have no concept of their parents selfishness.

I think I’ll look up all the local planning laws and make a case. But I imagine they will just get retrospective planning. They once told me they are “in” with the planning officers as a family member works for them (they had an extension a few yrs ago).

Funnily enough, I wanted to get skylights at the back of my property but felt it would overlook them so never went ahead. Consideration does not flow both ways it seem.

apply for the sky lights - when/if they object -throw an objection in to the council about their shitty house
Lou197 · 12/01/2022 20:58

We have a similar situation with our neighbours, I tried to speak to our them and got no where. Now working through enforcement with the planning department at the council... they have showed no regard for you, your privacy or the enjoyment of your home. It's a shame but they really are entitled CF

Londoncallingme · 12/01/2022 21:00

See if you can find the family member on the council - might they share a name? Then complain conflict of interest.

billy1966 · 12/01/2022 21:00

At that close to your home, is it a fire and storm risk?

Is it really 5ft from your kitchen?

Herani · 12/01/2022 21:14

Definitely report, as by the sound of it, it is high enough off the ground to require permission (it may change from area to area, but it's generally about 30cm off ground that needs permission). If it's intrusive, it's highly unlikely it would be allowed.
Take a note and date of when they said they were 'in' with the planning dept and as someone else has already said - involve your local counsellor specifically because they have told you that. Also put it in your email to the planning department.
Planning control will send someone out to look at it.

Kbr22 · 12/01/2022 21:47

You have to complain, this is your home for you and your family, you have to be strong and make a complaint x

nannykatherine · 12/01/2022 21:54

Burn it down

SarahBellam · 12/01/2022 21:55

And involve both the councillor with responsibility for planning and your local councillor. If your local councillor is still holding face to face surgeries go to one. Bring photos and anything else that might support your case.

Brennanlady1888 · 12/01/2022 22:02

You dont have a right of privacy as such you would need to check if you have rights of light by looking at your deeds .

Check with the planning dept if this kind of structure is permitted

Seeline · 12/01/2022 22:13

@Brennanlady1888

You dont have a right of privacy as such you would need to check if you have rights of light by looking at your deeds .

Check with the planning dept if this kind of structure is permitted

These are not relevant at this stage as they do not determine whether something requires PP (although this does).

Whilst you don't have a right to privacy or a right to light under planning law, planning policy aims to protect residential amenity. Under this general area, planning authorities would normally ensure that new developments do not result in significant levels of overlooking or loss of privacy, as well as ensuring they don't result in a significant loss of light, reduction in day light or a significant sense of visual dominance. From what the OP has described the tree house would result in all of these and therefore if a retrospective application were to be submitted, it is unlikely to be approved.

littlebilliie · 12/01/2022 22:20

People really are so rude our neighbours have built a "balconied roof garden" which is a few pallets and rough pots on his garage roof. He was up there all the time gawping into our kitchen. We asked home politely not to be up there and take his friends as my teen walks around in pjs and a family member was very sick and in a dressing gown most of the day. it's still up there now and a complete shit show and it gives me rage.

They also have a tree house that doesn't have planning permission

littlebilliie · 12/01/2022 22:22

This can also come under anti-social behaviour I would ring your local office

Bambooshampoo · 12/01/2022 22:25

Put that one way window film on your kitchen windows so they can’t see in.

That treehouse is new & novel, give it 2 years they’ll be bored of it and pay it no attention. Plus by then any planning complaints could reasonably thought to be from elsewhere .

JambalayaOrGumbo · 12/01/2022 22:26

Install a very bright sensor light that shines directly into their kitchen window - and also report the structure to the planning people, of course.

Daverl1980 · 12/01/2022 23:49

Sorry to hear this well read this . Don’t let them bully you or you off with their attitude . They have built something without planning permission, and which negatively impacts on you. Their behaviour is unacceptable and their treehouse could also have negative effects on your property value. As you say your kitchen is now dark . Speak to the Council and I’m sure you’ll get it all sorted out

Lulu49 · 13/01/2022 00:04

I’m pretty sure they have broken some planning rules. I would speak to local planning department AND start having sex in your kitchen! That will sort it out!