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Original poster

Neighbour's log cabin obstructing our view

39 replies

Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:24

Our NDN has an L shaped guarding (like an upside down L) so part of their garden backs on to ours. They are having a massive log cabin constructed and the roof has just gone on. I'm really unhappy at how much it spoils the view from our garden as they have built it adjacent to the fence. Can I do anything about it now? Would you say/do anything? Can I make them change the roof to a flat roof instead of pitched? Bearing in mind we will likely have an extension in a few years and would need them to be on side. Picture below

OP posts:
Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:26

Picture is of bottom half of our garden

Neighbour's log cabin obstructing our view
OP posts:
BuzzKillington · 29/11/2017 14:26

No pic?

If the ridge is over 2.5m they would need planning permission.

If the cabin is over 30m in floor area and it's within 1m of the boundary, it will need a Building Control application, assuming it's made of wood.

Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:27

Thanks for your reply just added the pic

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PhilODox · 29/11/2017 14:27

There are rules about what can be built in gardens- they need planning permission for something over 250cm high (highest point, usually ridge) if it's within a certain distance of a boundary (I think it's 5m). Check in the garden law site, it's v good.

hmcAsWas · 29/11/2017 14:27

Can't see the picture - however you can get quite a large log cabin without planning permission as long as it doesn't exceed a certain floor area and elevation. They've probably done that - and if it didn't need planning there isn't much you can do

Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:27

Thinking about it, they didn't complain about our climbing frame so maybe we shouldn't either..

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blueskyinmarch · 29/11/2017 14:29

Is that it behind the slide? It looks fine to me. You mdon't have an open view anyway, just another house and garden

PhilODox · 29/11/2017 14:29

Seen your pic now- ahem, do you have pp for your climbing frame? The rules changed about 8 years ago... if a structure has a platform more than 30cm above ground, it needs pp, sorry!
Perhaps they think you won't be bothered because your structure doesn't have pp (grasping at straws)?

PhilODox · 29/11/2017 14:30

Haha- now x-post with you.

Ihavepatrick · 29/11/2017 14:30

Maybe they don't want to look at your trampoline and slide/climbing frame?!

Justmuddlingalong · 29/11/2017 14:32

What view is it blocking?

Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:33

philodox I didn't know that and thought I had researched the climbing frame issue quite thoroughly! I suppose we will just get used to it, although the climbing frame will definitely going to be a temporary structure it's an eyesore

Although we don't have an open view it felt more like one before as there are two gardens between the bottom of ours and the house at the end, so about 200ft distance.

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Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 14:35

IhavePatrick they don't directly face it as their house faces the long part of the L and the slide is in our garden to the left of their house. But I suppose they could have chosen to build the cabin there so it stops them seeing it.

Useful to get some perspectives thanks everyone.

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namechangedtoday15 · 29/11/2017 15:13

I'd be cheesed off but agree that unless it's broken the rules in respect of planning permission / building regs there isn't much you can do. The only thing to consider perhaps is the design of your garden - fence / planting / trampoline etc to detract from the huge black roof Angry

Ttbb · 29/11/2017 15:15

I would just plant some trees in front of it. If you complain they will too when you start your building work.

Original poster
Surpriseeggsforbreakfast · 29/11/2017 15:23

We could consider having our trampoline further back although there is a veg patch there at the moment.

They are nice neighbours so don't want to cause an issue! I was just taken aback by how big it is.

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Seeline · 29/11/2017 15:30

can't be higher than 2.5m within 2m of the boundary, otherwise the eaves can't exceed 2.5m and the ridge can't exceed 4m without requiring PP.

whiskyowl · 29/11/2017 15:40

I really don't think it is that bad. Put some tall shrubs at the end of your garden and you won't even see it. I'd be very surprised if it contravenes planning in any way.

notangelinajolie · 29/11/2017 15:52

I would just put some tall shrubs in or a hedge. It wouldn't take much to obscure the cabin. Don't want to sound mean but if I was your neighbour I would not have particularily liked looking at the view your climbing frame.

InfiniteSheldon · 29/11/2017 18:13

I don't think you can complain with that climbing frame!

MaggieFS · 29/11/2017 18:34

I don't think it looks that bad, perhaps it's just because it's different and you're not used to it?

If they're nice neighbours and you might need them on side for your own extension, I'd try and live with it and sort out some plants. You can always quietly check building regs applications anyway, just so you know.

Yazi23 · 29/11/2017 19:47

It's a difficult one. They've probably not broken any rules, and even if they have, as you have a good relationship with them is it really worth making things awkward?
I would be gutted as although it's gardens at the back it would have been a nice view compared to a roof. It would have been nice for them to have mentioned what they were planning not that they had any requirement to.
It's done now and asking them to move it would probably cause huge upset and having a good relationship with your neighbours is really important and makes life a lot easier.
Do you have trellis on top of your fencing currently? If not, I would add some and then grow something like clematis montana across it. It's very quick spreading and gives privacy/coverage most of the year with pretty flowers in late spring. You could subtly mention to the neighbours at some point that you've done it to improve the view.

domesticslattern · 29/11/2017 19:51

Mmmmm, with that climbing frame and a planned extension, I'd be keeping my head down. Grow some stuff up against it and you might find you get used to it.

Baxdream · 29/11/2017 20:03

I have to be honest I think it looks fine and it's nice to see they're enjoying their garden rather than leaving it unloved.
If I owned their house I'd put it there too sorry 😬

NotMeNoNo · 30/11/2017 00:16

We have just had a cabin put in. I've painted it a nice dark grey and it blends in much better.