Family ordered to demolish children’s ‘eyesore’ treehouse
A FAMILY has been told to take down a treehouse after neighbours complained it was an ‘eyesore’.
Philip Vervaeke built the wooden structure in his back garden for his young children and their friends.
But some neighbours lodged complaints with council bosses, calling it ‘intrusive’.
Mr Vervaeke had pleaded for the treehouse in Scotstoun, Glasgow, to stay.
Glasgow City Council officials visited the property but then issued an enforcement notice ordering him to remove the treehouse, which is in a conservation area. Mr Vervaeke then appealed to the Scottish Government and had a petition signed by 27 neighbours supporting his plea.
But he has been told his bid has failed and the treehouse has been condemned.
Mr Vervaeke, a physiotherapist, said: ‘Our intention is for our children to have an opportunity to have fun playing up in the treehouse.
‘We never meant any harm to our neighbours, nor would we have any intention to look into other people’s properties or to disturb anyone. We love our community and are willing to work with Glasgow City Council to resolve any concerns.’
But neighbour Noel Mann said: ‘The treehouse is absolutely out of keeping in a designated conservation area. It is an eyesore.
‘It impacts the privacy of all the neighbouring properties.
‘It is a potential fire hazard, being a timber structure close to an unused, semi-derelict wooden garage, owned by the same property, which has previously been the site of arson.’
Neighbours Ian and Kirsten Kirkpatrick said: ‘Everyone who has viewed the structure from our garden agrees it is overly intrusive and completely out of scale and character for the area.
‘Most of the people supporting the structure, which is in private garden and not a public facility, do not live in its immediate vicinity.’
Glasgow City Council said it received seven complaints, adding: ‘The treehouse is a unique breach of planning control and is inappropriate given the residential context of the immediate area.
‘Due to the reasons outlined, it was considered expedient and in the public interest to serve an enforcement notice.’ Government reporter Stephen Hall ruled the treehouse breached planning laws.