Hi, we recently bought a plot of land in a new development area in Hesse, and our construction is starting soon.
Regarding our rainwater infiltration system, I asked our future neighbor to send me a house plan (to check the distance to the basement).
However, I noticed that it was actually a planting plan, which needs to be submitted to the authorities together with the building permit / planning permission application.
On it, I saw that he plans to plant a Norway maple quite close to our property line (about 3-4m (10-13 feet) away)!
These trees can already reach 4m (13 feet) in height after 10 years and up to 16m (52 feet) after 20 years, which is almost twice as tall as our houses!
Final height can be up to 35m (115 feet).
Who would want such a huge tree in their own garden?
So far, I haven’t found much information online except that you often have to accept a lot.
According to the building regulations / neighborhood law in Hesse, “very fast-growing avenue and park trees” must maintain a 4m (13 feet) distance from the boundary, and “fast-growing avenue and park trees” only 2m (6.5 feet).
Where does the Norway maple fall in this classification?
Is there anything I can do in advance? For example, can I apply to prevent him from planting it?
I know from my in-laws, who once owned a house and land, that you can’t just do anything you want on your own property. If the neighbor doesn’t agree, it’s not allowed.
I really don’t want such a tree because it would probably block sunlight from my entire garden.
Can I oppose this?
He also wants to plant a Japanese maple between our houses. But there are shrubs that tend to grow more in width than height. I could accept something like that.
I really hope there is a solution.
I don’t want a never-ending neighborhood dispute!
Regarding our rainwater infiltration system, I asked our future neighbor to send me a house plan (to check the distance to the basement).
However, I noticed that it was actually a planting plan, which needs to be submitted to the authorities together with the building permit / planning permission application.
On it, I saw that he plans to plant a Norway maple quite close to our property line (about 3-4m (10-13 feet) away)!
These trees can already reach 4m (13 feet) in height after 10 years and up to 16m (52 feet) after 20 years, which is almost twice as tall as our houses!
Final height can be up to 35m (115 feet).
Who would want such a huge tree in their own garden?
So far, I haven’t found much information online except that you often have to accept a lot.
According to the building regulations / neighborhood law in Hesse, “very fast-growing avenue and park trees” must maintain a 4m (13 feet) distance from the boundary, and “fast-growing avenue and park trees” only 2m (6.5 feet).
Where does the Norway maple fall in this classification?
Is there anything I can do in advance? For example, can I apply to prevent him from planting it?
I know from my in-laws, who once owned a house and land, that you can’t just do anything you want on your own property. If the neighbor doesn’t agree, it’s not allowed.
I really don’t want such a tree because it would probably block sunlight from my entire garden.
Can I oppose this?
He also wants to plant a Japanese maple between our houses. But there are shrubs that tend to grow more in width than height. I could accept something like that.
I really hope there is a solution.
I don’t want a never-ending neighborhood dispute!
Nordlys schrieb:
I find the issue with cemetery hedges to be outrageous. Whether you like them or not doesn’t matter; if I like them, I want to plant them. You might do something I don’t like, like black, shiny roof tiles. So what—everyone should be happy in their own way. Frederick the Great was right, the man. KarstenThe design plan is attached to the purchase agreement and signed... okay, for us it’s a lease agreement, but it doesn’t matter.
It’s the same with zoning plans: if plaster or brick facing is required, I can’t complain afterward—I didn’t have to buy.
To return to the broader topic of gardens: standalone garden sheds are generally not welcome here. Since I don’t see an issue for us but wanted my greenhouse, I called the municipality: because a greenhouse is not a garden shed (used to store various items) and a greenhouse supports the use of a garden, of course a greenhouse is permitted -> Definition garden
Well, if that’s the case by the Elbe and people don’t like the houses… phew. Last Saturday, I was applying mortar to the garage base at the bottom. A car comes through the area. License plate from Dortmund (DO). They stop, look around. “Are you looking for something?” “No, we were just checking out some plots.” I say, “Oh, they’re all taken.” They reply, “Isn’t there a zoning plan here?” “Yes,” I say, “of course there is.” Then he says, “Well, it doesn’t seem to say much, everyone here apparently does whatever they want… I haven’t seen anything this colorful where I’m from… roofs in all colors, facades in all shapes…” I say, “But that’s okay. People come in all colors and shapes too…” Karsten
Nordlys schrieb:
You know what? Amid all the subjective opinions, we’re overlooking the real outrage. Apparently, you have to submit a planting plan when the plot is 305 square meters (3,280 square feet). Are you serious? It’s my land—if I want to plant strawberries, it’s my land. If I want Christmas trees to grow there, it’s my land. If I want a lawn and a water feature, it’s my land. And if I have a rabbit hutch, it’s still my land. What on earth does any authority have to do with this? Which educators are pulling the strings here? KarstenIn an earlier post, you supported the idea that the authority mandates the planting of a tree.
A planting plan is a simple and resource-efficient way to review the (intention of) implementation, which likely falls within the authority’s responsibility.
So why are you getting so worked up about it?
Visual design guidelines can be both a blessing and a curse. Our new development aims to appear upscale (which is also reflected in the slightly higher purchase price for this area). For example, prefabricated garages are prohibited, as are flagpoles with flags in the garden. There are also regulations regarding the installation of split heat pumps. This usually means that homeowners have to invest more money. However, the hope is that no single property will reduce the value of the others.
The area is just being developed and connected to infrastructure. But the architect quota seems very high, at least from what can be said so far. The flat roof requirement alone rules out houses like Town & Country designs. And in my opinion, that’s exactly why the plots sold so quickly, despite the price.
K
Knallkörper20 May 2017 17:31Well... The aesthetic appeal of flat roofs and their vulnerable waterproofing will cause a loss in value after 20 years.
Alex85 schrieb:
Our new development aims to present itself as high-quality (which is also reflected in the somewhat higher purchase price for this area).It’s pretty similar in our area as well. Exterior facades and carports are limited to white or only gray RAL colors. No garden sheds stacked like in Flodder. Please, no trash bins visible, etc.
Brick facades are strictly separated from modern styles, and modern styles are distinct from Bauhaus styles.
If someone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to buy or lease.
About 20 km (12 miles) away, everything is allowed, but unfortunately, the plots there are smaller and arranged parallel rather than lined up along a single street. Karsten, you would look at a huge “city villa” from your bungalow terrace, blocking your sunlight.
To get back to the topic *laughs*, the plots there are even so small that keeping a 3-meter (10-foot) distance with trees is hardly possible, unless they are planted right next to your own facade.
Knallkörper schrieb:
Well... The aesthetic appearance of flat roofs and their vulnerable sealing will cause a loss in value in 20 years.My plastic facade will be pecked away by woodpeckers in 20 years anyway, so I don’t have to worry about leaking roofs; the house will be ready for demolition by then.
But joking aside, that may have been true thirty years ago, although even back then roof tiles were sometimes blown off. You can already tell that your statement isn’t correct just by looking at residential building insurance premiums. The roof type is indeed asked about, but it makes no difference in the premium as long as it’s not a soft roofing material. That may be just an indication, but in my opinion a telling one.
You could also say that everything has its time and fashion. In 10 years, everyone will probably shake their heads in disbelief at how foolish it was to paint the house gray (which will have already turned brownish by then) and, as a “contrast” to the also dark gray windows and roof tiles, to add gray accents with paint. Pure bunker style. (My box-shaped flat roof is the same.)
Fortunately, the ETICS houses will stand out then, because they at least bring a touch of green color to the neighborhood.
@ypg
Totally agree with you. To use Karsten’s words, just as there are different kinds of people, there are also different types of housing developments for every taste.