Neighbours New Tree house

[Silvafoxa]

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 ?

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)

Any suspicion that he has bent the rules for them and he will at least lose his job and possibly find himself in court.

Don't let these people bully you OP, as previous posters have said they don't stop just get cheekier.

You need to live next to these neighbours OP. Should you complain to the council planning dept, it will certainly cause a falling out. Neighbourly disputes can make living somewhere unbearable, remember should you decide to move you would need to declare any problems with neighbours. What they have done is wrong, but you are living next door, just think before you act.

I must admit, id like the idea of a two story tree house main top as the central office area and secondary level with toilet area, seen some of the look out type ones on YouTube, they are quite cool, but it would need to be in an area where the neighbours are not effected by it.

Good luck OP, they sound awful 😖

@Silvafoxa

Yeap, it’s in breach of planning as has platform around it as well. It’s so large and high! They will know it’s us as we are the only ones it effects.

I’d never be that inconsiderate as a neighbour, makes me sad ppl just do not care about others privacy or space.

Don't be ridiculous. They are the ones being inconsiderate by nullifying the thing, not getting planning, and then ignoring your concerns when you approached them civilly. Of course you should go to the council. You've tried being a considerate neighbour by approaching them to discuss your concerns. That hasn't worked so no you need to go to the council. That's not you being inconsiderate!

It doesn't matter if they know it's you. You can't have your quality of life spoiled because of this

Report them - don't put up with being walked all over by these dickheads

Oh for goodness sake don’t be so defeatist. Why in earth would any authority give a neighbour planning permission to build a viewing platform over your garden and into your kitchen that dazzles you at night time? They are full of shit and rely on people believing their nonsense about having “friends in high places” (pun intended!).

Always baffled by these

“Completely rural” properties

That seem to actually all live on top of one another!

I agree with PP who say that you should raise the comment that they are "in the the planning officers" that is bragging and intimidation and obviously there shouldn't be any corruption. If you raise this with a local MP or councillor or somebody then the issue will have to be looked at properly to avoid accusations.

@Silvafoxa

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 ?

Any possibility of a photo of the whole structure please to put into context ?

I can't really see that you are more isolated by reporting them. They've isolated you by being horrible anyway.
I'd definitely report them and if they say anything say it's out of your hands and up to planning now.

Report the cfs, they clearly have no respect for you anyway.

You need a new hobby OP..
I suggest beekeeping. The bees will love that tree.

@BruceAndNosh

MPs don't usually get involved in local Planning issues. Your local Councillor is the person to contact.

MP's surgeries will engage with any matter brought to them by a concerned voter, usually.

Although contacting a Councillor is also a good bet! - though I'd be wary of the local "rich & influential" aspect.

@Whatayear81

Always baffled by these

“Completely rural” properties

That seem to actually all live on top of one another!

Why? Do you believe that all rural properties are detached?

The countryside is swimming with semis & terraces.

Report it to council.

When you contact the council, you could copy your letter to your councillor too. It might be worth messaging them separately about the 'in with the council' claim, so they can keep an eye on how your complaint is dealt with.

Yes it’s just that if I was to ever move to a “completely rural” area presumably it was because I wanted space and to be away from the crowds?

@Roselilly36

You need to live next to these neighbours OP. Should you complain to the council planning dept, it will certainly cause a falling out. Neighbourly disputes can make living somewhere unbearable, remember should you decide to move you would need to declare any problems with neighbours. What they have done is wrong, but you are living next door, just think before you act.

Drawing attention to a structure that does not have planning permission is not a dispute with a neighbour.

Had the neighbours gone down the proper route the OP would have been consulted- and objecting to plans is normal and not a dispute.

Are the OP’s neighbours worried about a dispute?

Don’t raise scary sounding scenarios that aren’t a risk.

@BruceAndNosh

MPs don't usually get involved in local Planning issues. Your local Councillor is the person to contact.

Oh the good ones definitely do!

@Silvafoxa When you email the Planning Dept, make sure you mention that the neighbours have said they're "in" with the Planning Dept as a family member works for them! That way they then know that if they do in fact give any special privileges then you'll be fully aware that it's due to their connections.

From what I've read, there's NO WAY they'll be granted PP due to the proximity of it.
Just make sure you do it asap because if you don't, you could end up unable to sell your home. Once a breach of planning has been in place for 5 years without being acted upon, it is automatically permitted to remain indefinitely. Slashing the value of your home!!!

Once a breach of planning has been in place for 5 years without being acted upon, it is automatically permitted to remain indefinitely.

In England it's 4years for buildings/structures and 10 years for changes of use. After that any breach is exempt from enforcement action (unless proceedings have already begun).

MzHz

That's brilliant to read, I'm really pleased that you are dealing with your bully neighbours.

People behave badly because other people wont tell NO

remember should you decide to move you would need to declare any problems with neighbours. What they have done is wrong, but you are living next door, just think before you act.

This wouldn’t be considered a dispute in that context. Under UK law, most structures that can be considered tree houses need planning permission, some also need building control consent and sign off and where there is a covenant on the land prohibiting such structures, they’re also illegal. The neighbour has already admitting they didn’t get planning permission so the fact that he is refusing to take it down is irrelevant as it was built without consent. The OP is merely exercising her right to object, as she would have been allowed to, had the right planning permission been sought before the structure was built. Where moving house is concerned I think the structure itself would be more of an issue to buyers than any attempt to have it removed.

@Seeline

Once a breach of planning has been in place for 5 years without being acted upon, it is automatically permitted to remain indefinitely.

In England it's 4years for buildings/structures and 10 years for changes of use. After that any breach is exempt from enforcement action (unless proceedings have already begun).

However, if the neighbour was to sell the home with the treehouse in situ, he would have to either get an indemnity to cover the fact that no planning permission was sought, or he would have to try to apply retrospectively. Or take it down.