Boy ordered to tear down treehouse over planning permission row James Tolley, 13, faces having council contractors sent it to demolish the wooden den, which is raised and accessible by stairs or rope ladder, after he built it without permission and then failed to get retrospective permission.In a last ditch effort to save the treehouse, James' father Neil is appealing to the independent planning inspectorate.He said: "My son loves it. He's going to be very upset. It's got completely out of hand. I think the council has been spiteful."Article continuesadvertisementClick to learn more...The smart playhouse, complete with stairs and a veranda, was built in 2006 by the family's gardener and is extremely popular with James' friends at his home in Pinner, Middlesex.However, nine months after it was erected a neighbour complained to Harrow Council, claiming it was too big and out of keeping with the character of the Conservation area.Officials launched an investigation and in March last year wrote to James' father, Neil Tolley to say he needed to apply for retrospective planning permission for the treehouse.He applied but planners then refused to grant permission on the basis that the treehouse was too big and an "inappropriate development" in a conservation area.They ordered that it be torn down.Mr Tolley has so far refused to demolish the treehouse and said he will continue to fight the council. He said the structure does not overlook anyone and can only be seen from his back garden.He said: "I feel that it's sad that the council has money to waste. They must have more important things to do."I would have never allowed my son to disturb the quality of neighbours' lives. He and his friends are not noisy, we've never had any complaints from neighbours and, furthermore, you can't even see the structure. It's hidden by foliage."I felt I ought to appeal out of principle."Cllr Marilyn Ashton, Harrow Council spokesman for planning, development, and enterprise, defended the decision.She said: "This is not a treehouse, as one would imagine a treehouse to be. It is a substantial wooden structure on a platform which is contrary to Harrow Council's policies and, in particular, Conservation Area policy."Harrow Council has absolutely nothing against treehouses per se, but the description of a treehouse should not be used as a cover to erect large buildings, in Conservation Areas which cause overlooking, damage the environment and character of the area."
