THE owner of a treehouse in Netherlee must move its door after neighbours complained about ‘an invasion of privacy’.

Objectors claimed the “unsightly” treehouse — built without planning consent — causes “distress” to other Clarkston Road residents.

Councillors ruled Michael Cairns can keep the structure but must make changes within six weeks. His retrospective plans, submitted following a council probe, said it was used by playing grandchildren.

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East Renfrewshire Council received 15 objections to the planning bid, but officials recommended permission should be granted with conditions to make sure alterations, proposed by the applicant, were made.

These include relocating the entrance to the timber treehouse and installing a screen. An official told the planning committee: “My advice is that the proposed amendments would address overlooking.”

He said a door at the front would be “blocked up” and “a new door will get formed on the side”.

The plans stated the treehouse has been “designed to be unobtrusive”, as it is “largely hidden within the foliage of the tree” and has no openings “overlooking adjoining properties”. 

It added the changes had been proposed “in response to objections relating to invasion of privacy in one adjacent property”.

(Image: LDR) One objector had said: “This structure was built without planning consent and [with] complete total disregard for their neighbour’s privacy.”

Another added: “No part of this unsightly structure has ever been lawfully approved. It continues to overlook the privacy of bedrooms.”

It continued this was “causing distress” to those “affected by their lack of privacy in their own homes”. Objections added the issue was worse in autumn when leaves fell from the trees.

Nearby residents also complained the treehouse had been in place for four years without any permission. A council report stated a previous retrospective application had been withdrawn so the plans could be revised.

The report added the new opening and screening would “sufficiently mitigate against overlooking and loss of privacy”. Amendments must be made within six weeks of the date of the council’s decision notice.