TPO - can I build a tree house?

[FartMachine]

I have a Scots Pines in my garden with TPO’s on them. They’re lovely trees and I don’t want to damage them in any way. But one of them has big low branches that are perfect for climbing up. I want to build a few platforms and rope ladders between the branches to make it slightly safer and less terrifying when my dc’s climb it.

I’ve attempted to speak to the council but the tree man isn’t available by phone and despite me sending over a dozen emails over the last 6 months I have never received a reply.

Does anyone have any experience of doing anything similar? I don’t want to harm the tree or cut anything off it, just tie (I don’t think I even need to nail anything) some ropes and platforms on.

Christ just build the tree house.

I'm a rule breaker by nature, but really, do people actually question this stuff?!

Life's too short!!

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to question it when there was the case of the man recently who was fined around 30k for damaging a tree with a TPO on.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17520883.amp/ this is what I’m trying to avoid!

Live dangerously. Put a ladder up 😁

You may pp for a treehouse anyway so you would highlight the tpo as part of that and the tree warden would become a consultee.

Yeah, think about how big it will be and work out whether it would need planning permission in its own right. If you're tethering it to the trees, you're not carrying out any of the tpo prohibited acts so can crack on. If you want/need to screw into the tree, legally you need to submit a tpo app. The fact your TO is ignoring you speaka volumes about where their priorities lie ie not you with your insignificant structure which gets kids outside enjoying themselves.

Yep as previous poster said if you’re just using ropes to build that’s fine - putting nails/screws/bolts in probably not. BUT the big question is will the treehouse be visible to anyone/any neighbours other than yourselves? If it’s unlikely to get reported it may be a risk worth taking!