Wendy house council ruling due

Katie and Ben Goodwill: "Very upset"

A family in Lancashire are waiting to hear whether councillors will order the removal of the wendy house in their garden.

Pendle Borough council will decide on Tuesday night whether to remove the playhouse in the Barnoldswick garden of Ben and Katie Goodwill.

Their parents were told just hours after the construction of the house that it would require planning permission, despite their belief it is just a "harmless toy".

Because the wendy house is near a road, the council believes it requires planning permission by law and is therefore an "unauthorised development".

No criminal offence has been committed, but the council says the family have not made any effort to move the house or get planning permission.

Council machinations

But Tuesday's council meeting could still result in the house being saved, if they decide no further action is necessary.

Eight-year-old Ben and his sister Katie, six, are reported to be upset by the council machinations and the prospect of their early Christmas present being moved.

Grandmother Audrey Goodwill said the council's behaviour was "absolutely stupid".

She said: "The house hadn't been up long when the council got in touch.

"It's not in the way - it's in the garden. But it seems the council has decided there is a problem. The children are very upset."

Mrs Goodwill said the children's parents Julie, a teaching assistant, and David, an engineer, are planning to fight the council's decision if they are told to pull down the wendy house.