Building a tree house - planning regs?

[MrYorke]

I've been asked by a customer if I'd be interested in building a tree house for their 2 sons around a pretty large ash (not sure how long it'll be live for though)

Are there any planning/building constraints that I need to adhere to? It's pretty close to the neighbours property.

And has anyone got any experience or perhaps direct me to a site where I can get some ideas please?

Cheers. Mike

 

[Wizard9999]

I reckon it will need planning consent by the sound of it. From the planning portal:

"Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from house to be limited to 10 square metres.
On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission."

(My emphasis).

Page I looked at is here, there is a link to much more guidance in a technical guide
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permis ... buildings/

No clue on building regs, but let's hope not.

Terry.

 

[blackrodd]

Since July 2009, apparently, all tree houses require planning consent.
Here's a link that may be of some use,-- http://www.theplayhousecompany.co.uk/planning-guidance
HTH Regards Rodders

 

[tomf]

What's the world coming too?
Having said that the size of some peoples tree houses are ridiculous.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picture ... arden.html

 

[Glynne]

I think it is the "platforms over 30cm high bit" that irk most people and I think (although not positive) that this brings in new decks as well. So all the building regs re-balustrades etc comes into play which is fine if the platform is high, but 30cm?

 

[blackrodd]

I think it is the "platforms over 30cm high bit" that irk most people and I think (although not positive) that this brings in new decks as well. So all the building regs re-balustrades etc comes into play which is fine if the platform is high, but 30cm?

Probably a fair idea, bearing in mind that you could be overlooked by neighbours, even on some decking jobs,
I read, as above, some real big examples, spoiling other peoples home space!
Regards Rodders

 

[Dusty]

I know this does not help the Op , but bluudy hell , what has this world actualy come too when you need pp for a kids tree house , I dont mean a palace on legs , just the run of a mill tree house made of dads pallets and some old timber . I know it can be viewed from a different view point . But come on , what next , pp for trampolines incase your kids interupt some one elses afternoon tea and bridge in privacy !

 

[MrYorke]

Thanks everyone. I'll take this back to the customer but I basically need to speak to the local council planning department to find out what they say is good to go.....or not

 

[kostello]

I have heard it said that it is easier to get forgiveness than permission.........

 

[Wizard9999]

But come on , what next , pp for trampolines incase your kids interupt some one elses afternoon tea and bridge in privacy !

Well, as I understand it, invasion of privacy from trampolines has become the number one inter-neighbour dispute, overtaking over grown conifer hedges, so give it time...

Terry.

 

[Rhossydd]

what has this world actualy come too when you need pp for a kids tree house

Proof life does get better.
I don't want my neighbours building tree houses that allow their kids to stare into my garden all the time, would you ?

 

[defsdoor]

Personally I'd take great enjoyment from watching them have fun.

How many kids actually get to play in tree houses nowadays ? When I was a kid we spent every summer holiday building camps, tree houses, lighting fires and cooking spuds.

Kids today have no concept of "playing out" - we've either sterilised or over protected everything for them.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

what has this world actualy come too when you need pp for a kids tree house

Proof life does get better.
I don't want my neighbours building tree houses that allow their kids to stare into my garden all the time, would you ?

Tree houses on a 100 acre farm are fine - in a suburban semi, they are not.

 

[Rhossydd]

Tree houses on a 100 acre farm are fine - in a suburban semi, they are not.

Which is exactly why a requirement for planning permission is a good thing.
In a position where it won't compromise anyone else's privacy, it won't be a problem. Somewhere where it might be an invasion of neighbour's privacy, it should be disallowed.
It's worth remembering that 'tree houses' aren't always just kids playthings now, as pointed out in the second reply.

 

[Wizard9999]

If you want privacy then there is no point living anywhere urban or suburban. The kids' treehouse is the least of your worries as you'll probably have three other houses with a perfectly good view of your garden. With the size of gardens provided by most developers these days I'd be surprised if there was room for a tree big enough to build a tree house in.

Terry.

 

[HexusOdy]

If you want privacy then there is no point living anywhere urban or suburban. The kids' treehouse is the least of your worries as you'll probably have three other houses with a perfectly good view of your garden. With the size of gardens provided by most developers these days I'd be surprised if there was room for a tree big enough to build a tree house in.

Terry.

What he said

 

[JanetsBears]

I wonder what the rules are relating to an existing tree house that's been there longer than the new rules. Is it okay to build a replacement on the same 'site'?

Chris

 

[blackrodd]

I would think that any replacement would be under current regs.
possibly the best route would be to photograph the existing structure from several angles and then "repair" the tree house, well documented, over a period of time.
Regards Rodders

 

[skronk]

Take it from me......as a man who has built 4 houses in Scotland......with major grief.

Planners are *ssholes. Full of self opinionated cr*p. People with the inability to hold down a responsible position with a commercial business so sell their soul for a career with the council...( can you really call it a career ?) and a (now) poxy pension, in order to wield a bit of power over the general public. (Do you know who I am ?)

Dross of the earth.

 

[n0legs]

If you want privacy then there is no point living anywhere urban or suburban. The kids' treehouse is the least of your worries as you'll probably have three other houses with a perfectly good view of your garden. With the size of gardens provided by most developers these days I'd be surprised if there was room for a tree big enough to build a tree house in.

Terry.

What he said

Agreed.