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

sb44

QTPie wrote: »

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.

A 3m wall! My husband says " How the hell are you going to have a word with your neighbours about it, you would have to climb on the wall to speak to them! " (Joke). That's a flippin' big wall.

jenfa

Don't know if you have seen this: http://www.theplayhousecompany.co.uk/your_playhouse/planning_guidance/
just outlines rules and regs in case they ask. I agree with Wellused. That's what we did, when we built a playtower for our son, we also fitted a steering wheel on part of the tower that meant he was more likely to face our way than the neighbour's.

Have you considered what material you are putting underneath? We installed soft play foam and then covered it with astroturf - cost us a fortune at the time because it was only really used by professionals but we were worried if one of his friend's fell and hit their head we would feel terrible, depends on how old your children are though. Astroturf did mean he could use it all year round without me moaning about the mud at the bottom of the slide.

spidercrab

You mention that the neighbours would be able to see the top of the structure - this would definitely annoy me but I probably would not complain about it unless it was painted in luminous pink or something. If it is camouflaged with the surroundings then this may help your cause. My neighbours had a slide when their kids were small and they used to sit on top of it for ages and watch me in my garden and shout over the fence to me which used to irritate the hell out of me but they were always polite so I was always polite back. We have small gardens - you have to give and take with neighbours if you want to stay on good terms.

wattapain

QTpie, I apologise if I got it wrong, but from the description you gave of trees etc near to your house and the fact the object in question would be nearer the neighbour's house than yours, it sounded to me like it would be out of sight of your living room.
But that is obviously not so , but I still can't really picture it. But hey ho - it's your decision after all , and it sounds to me imho that you're gonna do it anyway - so enjoy !!

wifeforlife

Go ahead and do it, just be polite and let them know your doing it in advance, the Astro turf sounds a good tip too!

Great to see children out and about, maybe the neighbours child will come & play too

Annie1960

If you want to build a good relationship with your neighbours as you claim, the don't put this structure near them.

Happychappy

Maybe the neighbour will tell you about the new firing range he is building, he will be shooting across your land, but at three or four metres or so high, shouldn't have any affect on you ; )

Vectis

If it's a distance from the wall, why not plant something like bamboo to screen it from the neighbours? Not many people would complain about greenery going up to 4m, but they might object to a wooden structure on its own. Screening it off might be the most considerate thing to do. A few quid extra (in comparison to the price of these structures) for some bamboo shouldn't break the bank.

rach_k

It wouldn't bother me at all if our neighbours had something similar and we have tiny gardens! If you want to maintain a good relationship, why not tell them your plans, ask if they have any preferences about the colour (ask if they would prefer the side they look at to be green or natural wood, for example) and then invite them to bring their child round to play once it's put up? It'll encourage them to think of it as parents (as in, we have a child who'd love that too) rather than grumpy neighbours concerned about seeing the top of a wooden tree house!

The fact that they're moving their living room upstairs shouldn't have anything to do with your decision. It's fairly unusual to do that, more unusual than having a play structure in your garden I'd say. Would you expect them to consult you about what they might possibly be looking out onto from their new living room? I wouldn't so I wouldn't expect you to consult them.