A dispute has erupted in north London over a large treehouse built during the Covid lockdown period.
Mary, 82, has claimed that the wooden structure on stilts towers over her garden in the city’s borough of Barnet, peering into her bedroom window.
The treehouse was constructed by Tariq Khan, 57, a builder who created it to cure his lockdown boredom.
The elderly resident described the structure as “imposing” and a “total eyesore,” and is concerned about her privacy being compromised.
The elderly resident described the structure as “imposing” and a “total eyesore,” concerned about her privacy being compromised (Stock)
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“It massively reduces my privacy, I feel my garden isn’t my own – it takes away any pride you have in your garden,” Mary told MailOnline.
“I did complain when it was first going up around lockdown time but he didn’t pay any attention, in fact he was really quite dismissive,” she continued.
“It upset me really quite a lot when it first went up actually, and I tried to speak to him but I didn’t know who to turn to.
“During Covid, we weren’t even sure we were going to survive so things like this were the least of the council’s concern and now it’s been forgotten about,” she explained.
“You don’t mind the kids so much because they’re playing but adults go up there as well,” she added.
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The treehouse, dubbed “Sunshine View” by Khan, features a metal sliding pole, two swings and a wrap-around terrace.
“A temporary construction is where there are no bricks, no blocks, no foundation – anything like that,” he said, explaining that the built structure does not require planning permission.
“As a youngster, I loved a treehouse. So, we did the fencing, did the decking, and we went for it,” Khan said, denying that he received any complaints about the structure.
“Everybody absolutely loves it. I’ve had nothing but praise from people walking past in the park, even five years later,” he said.
“Why have you left it until now to come and tell me? It’s a bit too late for that, isn’t it? The treehouse is there. It’s not going anywhere,” Khan said.
The council claimed that they were previously not aware of the issue
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“You know, some people, shy or not, just don’t like to see anyone doing that kind of thing – they’re envious,” he added.
In England, treehouses over 2.5 metres tall are not automatically covered under permitted development rights.
Planning permission is also required if the structure includes sleeping accommodations or has a floor area exceeding 15 square metres.
“We have not been made aware of this case and have no record of any complaints being made,” a council spokesperson said.
“However, now that this has been brought to our attention, we will investigate whether a breach of planning permission has occurred.”