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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:
Natty13 · 11/01/2022 12:22

@Cotton55

"Frankly, I find it unfair that people like you whine and moan yet do NOTHING about it, therefore encouraging dickheads like your neighbours to continue on through life having no consideration for others. Only when people stand up to them do folk like this change."

Natty13 come on that's unfair. The OP is looking for advice as to what she should do about it. There's no need to be a dick.

She's asking for advice yet replying to all of the sensible, legal posts with excuses why she won't do any of it.

Why does that make me a dick to point it out. MN is full of posters like this. No intention to stand up for themselves because they don't want to. Because it's hard. Bet you a tenner there will be a follow up in a year or two "I did nothing about m neighbours big fuck off treehouse and did nothing so as not to fall out but we fell out anyway because they are dickheads and now nobody wants to buy my house because there's a massive treehouse 5ft from it! What can I do?!"

jollygreenpea · 11/01/2022 12:26

Even if no one ever went into the tree house, it's blocking light into OP kitchen, it's likely negatively impacting the OP house value, it dominates the view the OP has out of the windows.

Get on to the council and hope that the neighbours have to remove it.

Also when you complain keep it factual not 'I don't like it so it needs to go'.

Good luck, go and find those big girl pants.

Woodlandarchitect · 11/01/2022 12:31

Well if reporting to planning isn’t an option then it won’t be long before it’s full of spiders and has slimy decking.

Maybe chuck bird seed at it so it’s covered in shit?

CharlotteRose90 · 11/01/2022 12:37

Report the idiots. I’d be going mad if someone dick that to me. If it’s blocking your light you need to report it.

CharlotteRose90 · 11/01/2022 12:37

@CharlotteRose90

Report the idiots. I’d be going mad if someone dick that to me. If it’s blocking your light you need to report it.
Did that to me sorry not dick that to me 😂
BoodleBug51 · 11/01/2022 12:38

Our NDN built a party hut complete with bar during lockdown. It's completely ruined our view from the kitchen, so I reported it.

Planning has said it's illegally built but a whole year later, nothing has happened............

So if you are going to report, I'd do it sooner than later.

Seeline · 11/01/2022 12:42

@BoodleBug51

Our NDN built a party hut complete with bar during lockdown. It's completely ruined our view from the kitchen, so I reported it.

Planning has said it's illegally built but a whole year later, nothing has happened............

So if you are going to report, I'd do it sooner than later.

Agree - enforcement is always a horribly long process.

Keep chasing the Council, but if really nothing has happened get on to your local Councillor to chase it up for you.

Mummyoflittledragon · 11/01/2022 12:43

Please report this as contravening planning rules and be prepared to fight. They do not care about neighbourly relations. It’s all about them and their kids wants. Shame on them for being such bullies.

RandomMess · 11/01/2022 12:45

It's devaluing your house. They have a decent size garden they can move it elsewhere.

Report it.

changeyourname11111 · 11/01/2022 12:49

@Nanny0gg

You let this go and there'll be something else

You have no relationship now - their fault - so you have nothing to lose and lots to gain by reporting it

This ^

I know what you mean about feeling isolated, but they are obviously not friends.

I had something not nearly as bad - two sets of neighbours using my drive to park in without asking - and they then wanted to set up a long-standing arrangement. I wasn’t comfortable about it though and said no.

I think they might be sulking now but for many reasons I am really glad I said no - no cars turning up on my drive in that entitled way “because you were at work” as one neighbour put it Hmm.

I second the suggestion that you write to them again explaining, and then complain to the council if they don’t do anything within 14 days.

ConfusedBear · 11/01/2022 12:50

I'd report it to the council. You've nothing to lose by reporting.

A 10ft off the ground shed in a semi rural area sounds like a deathtrap - so the council might well be interested in that side of things too.

BluebellsGreenbells · 11/01/2022 12:52

The council planners are there to not only protect you but to also protect the area - they don’t want crap built everywhere badly. They will look at it and have it removed.

BruceAndNosh · 11/01/2022 12:53

I'd have an informal chat with Planning Duty officer at council to ask what their guidelines are on tree houses. It varies from area to area. Find out exactly what planning regulations it might be inbreach of.
Knowledge is power

Namechangehereandnow · 11/01/2022 12:54

You have 3 choices OP

  1. Do nothing, seethe and get worked up for the rest of your time at this house.
  2. Do nothing, change your attitude/thinking towards it, stop whining, so accept and be peaceful about it.
  3. Report it.

If I were in your shoes I’d be reporting it as it’s illegal (we think), it affects my privacy and light.

There’s a difference between reporting something for legal reasons and reporting just because you want to be arsey about something. This seems to be for a legal reason. I’d have no qualms in reporting.

Thirtytimesround · 11/01/2022 12:54

I think you only have two options.

  1. Put up with it
  1. Use legal means to get it taken down, thus creating permanent feud with neighbours. Talk to planning department at local council / get a lawyer if planning aren’t helpful.

Personally I would go for option 2. They’ve devalued your house.

JudgeJ · 11/01/2022 12:55

I would be constantly filming the people using it, adults or children, you don't need to do anything with it, or even really film them, but it might provoke a discussion.

StrifeOfBath · 11/01/2022 12:55

@BluebellsGreenbells

The council planners are there to not only protect you but to also protect the area - they don’t want crap built everywhere badly. They will look at it and have it removed.
I agree with this.

It is an issue beyond you and your neighbour: planning regs are there for the environment, the character of the local area etc etc.

MeridianB · 11/01/2022 12:58

They sound like vile bullies and I’d report immediately. Good luck…

skyeisthelimit · 11/01/2022 12:59

OP, they have ruined the relationship now, and I know it is hard to go up against people, but if you don't it will eat away at you forever now.

Report them to the council and detail exactly the impact it is having on your privacy and your life.

CharityDingle · 11/01/2022 13:01

@Thirtytimesround

I think you only have two options.
  1. Put up with it
  1. Use legal means to get it taken down, thus creating permanent feud with neighbours. Talk to planning department at local council / get a lawyer if planning aren’t helpful.

Personally I would go for option 2. They’ve devalued your house.

I agree.

And rest assured they don't care about being decent neighbours or they wouldn't have done this. Yes, it's difficult when you are on your own, I know that. But they will continue to walk all over you either way, imo.

Namechangehereandnow · 11/01/2022 13:01

judge … you cannot film or photograph children in this way! It’s against privacy laws 🙄

Soubriquet · 11/01/2022 13:03

There’s no law saying you can’t film or photograph children.

Most people wouldn’t but you can go out in the street and photograph any child together like

Namechangehereandnow · 11/01/2022 13:04

You can’t photograph children in their own garden where they’d expect privacy …

Tulips21 · 11/01/2022 13:04

@sunshinesupermum

Definitely report to the council. There is no need for it to be 15 ft high and directly looking into your kitchen. Your neighbours are CFs.
I would report to
Soubriquet · 11/01/2022 13:05

Not exactly private if it’s right outside your own kitchen window is it?

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