How to approach neighbour about "putting up structure in garden"?

QTPie

Not sure if this is the right forum, but it is about gardens...

We want to put a structure (play tower, slide, swing etc) in our garden. Providing it is within certain guidelines (below max height, at least a certain distance from the boundary etc), it doesn't need planning permission.

How would you approach a neighbour about putting up such a structure? We don't need their permission (and we don't need planning permission), but we want to maintain/build a good relationship with our neighbours.

QT

PasturesNew

So long as it's nearer to your living room than the neighbours ... there's nothing worse than parents who buy trampolines for their kids, then put them "well away from the house, so we don't have to hear them" - and yet not care that they're then a nuisance to neighbours (especially when they're leaping up and down with their friends and peeking at you every 4 seconds for hours on end.

Davesnave

I would start from the premise that it has to go somewhere, so I'd ask the neighbour where they'd not like me to erect it.

That doesn't give the neighbour full control, but it does make them feel they were consulted.

As a neighbour, I'd want to know in advance, if only so I could plan how much bamboo to order! :rotfl:

QTPie

Sadly it would be going nearer the neighbours' living room than ours: nothing to do with noise, just the shape and composition of the garden (lots of trees and steps near our living room, big tree in middle, then a nice open bit (11m x 11m plus extra), then a high some wall (3m high) then there garden (currently derelict garden and put building, their living room is about 12m or more from the 3m high wall). However neighbours are looking to move their living room upstairs - so sound/sight will carry more across to their living room when it is on the 1st floor). Neighbours have a 7 year old boy - so their own noisy child.

Play structure will be just under 4m to top of pitch, very tasteful and in keeping with our rocky, leafy garden. So structure will be above (3m) wall line, but virtually all if that will be pitched room. Structure would be 3m/4m from boundary wall - so well away from boundary and 15m plus from their house.

Definitely do want to talk to them before doing it, but can't give them much say unfortunately.

Qt

wellused

Say "just to warn you we will be putting a structure up for the kids to climb on, didn't want you wondering what it was". See what their reaction is and take it from there.

I_have_spoken

Not sure what good it'll do -

You ask, they object and you go ahead and do it anyway = fall-out
You ask, they agree through gritted teeth = resentment
You ask, they welcome the build - well it could happen...

want to talk to them before doing it, but can't give them much say

I think you know deep down it'll be a bloody nuisance and are just trying to salve your conscience. Just saying...

PasturesNew

QTPie wrote: »

Play structure ... just under 4m to top of pitch, .... structure will be above (3m) wall line, but virtually all if that will be pitched room. .... 3m/4m from boundary wall ....

That's bigger than a lot of starter homes! Do you have a link to an image, so we can see what this beast looks like?

penrhyn

If it allows the kids to view your neighbours property they would have grounds to complain. It would certainty annoy me, unless I could come round and have a go on it of course.

Is it like this?

QTPie

Haven't decided yet, but something along these lines http://www.playhousesandclimbingframes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/P6231788a.jpg or http://www.playahead.org.uk/domestic/products/climbing-frames/gallery/

There is a 3m solid stone wall between the neighbours and us (and it would be set 3m/4m away from wall). So kids wouldn't be able to "look in" to their garden, but the top would be visible from neighbours property.

wattapain

QTPie wrote: »

Sadly it would be going nearer the neighbours' living room than ours: nothing to do with noise, just the shape and composition of the garden (lots of trees and steps near our living room, big tree in middle, then a nice open bit (11m x 11m plus extra), then a high some wall (3m high) then there garden (currently derelict garden and put building, their living room is about 12m or more from the 3m high wall). However neighbours are looking to move their living room upstairs - so sound/sight will carry more across to their living room when it is on the 1st floor). Neighbours have a 7 year old boy - so their own noisy child.

Play structure will be just under 4m to top of pitch, very tasteful and in keeping with our rocky, leafy garden. So structure will be above (3m) wall line, but virtually all if that will be pitched room. Structure would be 3m/4m from boundary wall - so well away from boundary and 15m plus from their house.

Definitely do want to talk to them before doing it, but can't give them much say unfortunately.

Qt

So you won't be able to see or hear your kids ( and a few of their friends no doubt) while they are using this 'structure'.
This raises safety issues surely.


Couldn't you move some of the vegetation, and maybe redesign the space to make it nearer your house than theirs?
In the picture on your link, trees clearly form part of the experience, so why not try that?
And if they are planning to move their living room upstairs - hmmmmm

QTPie

Where did I say that I wouldn't be able to see or hear the kids if they were playing on it? At their current age, if they are they are in the garden, I am in the garden. If I do pop into the house, then I am in the kitchen (which is the end of the house where we propose the play equipment).

We won't be putting it at the other end if the garden - it would be infront of large floor to ceiling glass windows and a very large area of decking. At the end we propose it is not infront anyone's windows at all and is 15m+ from the side (no windows) of any living accommodation and screened by a 3m high thick stone wall.