Father loses tree house battle

Tuesday, 9 December 2003 12:36 AM

A father has lost a 17-month long planning inquiry battle over his daughter's tree house and has been ordered to demolish the playhouse.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was asked to intervene in the protracted dispute between 37-year old Daniel Bennett of Sheffield Road, Glossop, Derbyshire, and neighbours.

Mr Bennett had built the den for his 11-year-old daughter, Anna, in a tree at the end of her grandmother's garden.

But neighbours complained to the local council last summer, claiming the den frightened his children.

High Peak Borough Council ruled the 6ft by 5ft (1.8m by 1.5m) tree house must be torn down.

But Mr Bennett went all the way to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office to seek a judgement from the very top.

Last month, government planning inspector Clive Whitehouse visited the den to listen to representations from both parties.

But yesterday, Mr Whitehouse dismissed Mr Bennett's appeal and said the tree house must be removed within three months.

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