Neighbours tree near extension - help!

[thefunnel]

Hi everyone,

Our neighbour has a rather tall tree that is approximately 2.5 meters away from our kitchen extension. We only purchased the house a few months ago and I didn't notice it at the time (naive first time buyer!). I am now worried that it will cause problems with the foundations in the future. I want to talk to my neighbour about it but would like to get my facts straight first. The previous owner built our extension three years ago under permitted development. I'm not sure if this will muddy the waters as my neighbours tree was possibly there before our extension!

Where do I stand on this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a photo taken from upstairs overlooking the extension roof.

Thanks,
Paul

Untitled

• thefunnel
• 13 Feb 2011
• 1

 

[merlin50]

that tree will not do any harm

 

[thefunnel]

Thanks Marlin, but how can you be so sure? Is there guidelines for how close trees can be to property? While the trunk of the tree is not that wide it is fairly tall (as tall as my house!) and is only 2.5 meters away from my kitchen. Where would I stand legally if I wanted it gone?

 

[leeco]

You are worrying over nothing, the extension will be built on very good footings and the tree wouldn’t do anything to the extension. If I was you I wouldn’t be bothering your new neighbour about it.

 

[merlin50]

if the roots get that far they will thinner than grass roots, if you say anything to your neighbour they will think you have lost the plot.

 

[Patroller]

Come back in 200 years and let us know if there were any problems?

 

[UKMICKY]

Where would I stand legally if I wanted it gone?

Nowhere

Even if the tree were to grow 100 ft high,unless it actually causes damage your neighbour will not have to do anything.

Even if it were to cause damage your neighbour will not be liable for the damage unless you could prove he actually knew it was actually causing damage and then did nothing.

Therefore forget about the tree as its something that you cant do anything about except maybe install a root barrier which is probably not required.