A children’s tree house built by their grandfather has caused a stir between neighbours in a smart Black Country street after council officers said it needed planning permission.
Complete with fireman’s pole, the den had been in the back garden of the Baker family’s home in Clear View, Kingswinford, for months when a neighbour reported it to the council. They object to the 13ft high structure – which is directly in line with a bedroom of one surrounding home.
They say it invades their privacy and blocks out light.
Diane Baker said she had not expected the tree house, built for her two young sons, would cause a problem.
“We were surprised when we found out we needed planning permission,” she said.
“I mean, it’s a tree house. My father spent quite a lot of time making it for the boys, which makes it even more special to the family.”
She added that she could not understand how the tree house could be seen as invading neighbours’ privacy.
Planning officers have recommended retrospective approval for the tree house, but say it should be pulled down within two years to preserve the aged tree.
One neighbouring resident, whose garden backs on to the Baker’s home, said: “It’s a beautifully made thing, but it’s just too high. It’s right in line with one of my bedroom windows.”
Members of Dudley Council’s Development Control Committee will debate the issue on Monday September 3.
13 Comments
Some people obviously forget they were once children themselves.
Dont some people just LOVE to see KIDS’ not have fun! what a sad neighbourhood. so how come planning permission is needed ? i applied for planning permission for an extention,providing it had got a glass roof i didnt need planning permission so what are these idots on about !!!! remind me not to buy a wooden shed it may offend my neighbour’s.
it took neighbours long enough but why not talk to the people direct instead of going to the coucil do they really think children are going to look through their window dont see why it needs planning permission for children to play in the garden perhaps it could be lowered to satisfy grump neighbours
If it was a brothel then I would agree but a tree house!
Imagine a bunch of kids looking in your bedroom window! There are rules for what you can and can’t build. That’s why it’s called planning permission. Some extensions and conservatories - and tree houses - need it, some don’t; it depends on size and several other factors. Every local authority has rules and has to abide by them. Anybody can get a leaflet or just ring up and ask.
do you know i’de have never of thought of that.
muppet!!!!!!
Wow what a cool thing. Wish I had one when I was a lad. Now in the days of ridiculous red-tape, politics and bureacracy its seems those fun days are over. No wonder kids stay indoors and play video games all day, its the only safe and fun thing they’re allowed these days. Soon they’ll be banning bike riding and skate boarding…..and they wonder why kids are bored. Jeez.
Pathetic, is all i can say. What is the harm in letting children have fun? It took so long for them to complain about it, i think it’s been done out of badness.
If they had kids themselves they wouldn’t bother whos ‘light’ it blocks out.
In answer to Cornish refugee.
I hardly think kids would be looking in at people through bedroom windows unless they saw naked people! They would think it was boring otherwise and be having too much kid fun. Remember childhood anyone?
Let’s hope that the planning permission takes into account all the current building regs for tree houses such as access for disabled folks.
You have to laugh otherwise you’d cry ……..
well said richard,and people wonder why kids go on the distruction path these days.no suprise is it!!.
Utter twaddle! Is this what our councils are now wasting money on….enforcing the destruction of a tree house, whatever next (answers on a postcard please)
How can they argue it blocks out the light- Surely the tree does that already? These petty cutain twitchers make my blood boil! Don’t lecture us on planning permission, we are talking about something positive for kids to do here. On a similar subject, I’m planning to remove every ‘No Ball Games’ sign from the West Midlands area - anyone want to help?