Tree... do I have to remove it?? Help

[happyjo]

At the bottom of my garden is a rather large tree. It is on our side against the boundary wall with another house. This other house is small and is only a few feet away from the wall and tree. The tree has obviously grown over the years and yesterday this neighbour came to our house asking us to remove the tree, as they have little natural light and the roots may also cause problems. I am completely happy for them to remove as many branches as necessary to afford them some daylight, however, to remove the tree completley will be expensive and will also make our garden very visable from their house. They recently installed a window to the upstairs of their house, which over looks my house and garden. The glass is not frosted. If the tree goes it would make my 3 daughters bedrooms easily viewable. So, I have 2 questions for you lovely people.
1. Am I legally required to remove this tree?
2. Does the intsallation of a new window ( was just brick wall before) require planning consent? Many thanks in advance Jo x

[Lonnie]

If you are possibly thinking of removing this tree, (what type is it?), first i'd check to make sure it has or hasn't got a preservation order on it,

Surely though, the tree was there before both you and these other people moved in,, and if as you say, its on your land, and you want to keep it, i'm sure there's nothing to stop you doing so,

If Alan30 is around, he's good at this sort of thing.

Sorry I can't help you further.

[Thunderbird+]

I dont really know much about the legal side of things but last year I reduced the height of some conifers, grown as a screen at the bottom of someones garden. Apparently it was the neighbours who had requested the reduction due to light isue's. In this case it was the people on the adjasent property who agreed to pay for the work on the trees. to me this seemed fair, as one party got more light and the other retained some degree of privacy and personally I would think that both parties paying 50/50 not at all unreasonable.
Hopefully Alan30 may spot your Q and outline any legal requirements. Good Luck.

[Thunderbird+]

PS, some of the adds (in blue) that have appeared in the right-hand column may prove useful. Good Luck. Tbird+