tree house in conservation area

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I'm absolutely right old chap, read what I said: a structure greater than 300mm above ground level will require bldg control. The tree house (in this case) may, or may not require planning consent. Simples....

[Gary Prentice]

The law changed about 18 months ago as someone alluded to earlier. Its now any 'raised platform' including garden decking, will need full planning permission so this tree house will undoubtedly fall in to this remit.

 

From reading the other comments, its fair to say that generally people don't understand what a Conservation Area is for - so Ill summarise briefly.

 

- A CA primarily protects the buildings (often also listed but not always) and the genus loci of a specific area

 

- Trees inside it are not automatically TPO'ed. However, work to them is notifiable to the TO with 6 weeks notice

 

- A tree below 75mm in diameter at 1.5m from the ground can be worked on - but its good practice to informally notify in any case. Anything over the 75mm is protected by the terms of the CA (not TPO'ed) as felling/damaging/altering them would affect the nature of the CA itself

 

Installing bolts into a tree is wilful damage and is therefore prosecutable. Erecting a tree house will change the nature of the CA and to do so without planning permission will also attract the interest of the planning enforcement team, and is also therefore prosecutable.

 

So, don't touch this work (even on stilts!) until all the appropriate permissions are in place as though you are not the owner, you are the professional carrying out the work so are by strict liability, committing the offence if you carry out the work. The owner would also be prosecuted.

 

Up to 100mm if for the benefit of surrounding trees ie thinning to allow for development of better trees.