Makeover ordered for Wendy house

Councillors have given the giant Wendy house a stay of execution

Edinburgh councillors have given a reprieve to a children's Wendy house, under threat of demolition.

The wooden structure - in the historic New Town - was built as a Christmas present, but a neighbour complained it was not in keeping with the area.

Councillors have now ordered that the decking base of the house must be removed.

But the Wendy house itself can stay, if an alternative site in the garden can be agreed.

Members of the planning committee visited the Georgian terrace to see the structure for themselves.

Council officers recommended that the playhouse in Brian Miller's back garden in Broughton be removed, or at least reduced in size.

It was built in December by Mr Miller, a property developer, as a present for his children Noah, four, and Naomi, aged three.

'Detrimental contribution'

It has a tyre swing, slide, rope bridge, glazed windows and chimney and stands on top of a 3ft deck which extends across the garden of their A-Listed Georgian home in the area's Bellevue Crescent.

However, planning officials told councillors the structure "makes a detrimental contribution to the character and appearance" of the area and advised that they refuse the Miller's retrospective planning application.

A report for members of the council's planning committee councillors said the unauthorised development should be removed or significantly reduced.