Wendy house family treated 'insensitively'

Katie and Ben Goodwill face losing their playhouse

A family in Lancashire threatened with having their Wendy house pulled down have been treated "insensitively", a councillor has admitted.

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

Their parents were told just hours after the construction of the house that it would require planning permission.

But Councillor Frank Clifford, who heads the development control committee, said councillors had adopted a "heavy-handed" approach.

We have had an e-mail from Poole in Dorset this morning telling us what a sad council we are

Councillor Frank Clifford

The council believes the Wendy house is near a road and therefore requires planning permission.

Councillor Clifford said: "It is clear that the councillors at Barnoldswick decided to deal with it in a heavy-handed, uncaring, unfeeling manner.

"They ought to actually have negotiated with the family, sought a relocation and tried to help them understand our planning concerns."

'Handled badly'

He added: "We have had an e-mail from Poole in Dorset this morning telling us what a sad council we are.

"It also asked us if we all acted this way in the North West?

The Wendy house could win a reprieve

"The answer is no, but it is this sort of impression that's got about.

"It's been badly handled by local councillors in Barnoldswick with no recourse to the centre."

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's reaction and the prospect of their early Christmas present being moved.

Parents' fight

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."

The children's parents, Julie, a teaching assistant, and David, an engineer, plan to fight the council's decision if they are told to pull down the Wendy house.