Plans for tree house go to the council

Published: 8:07 AM December 2, 2009 Updated: 4:01 PM November 7, 2020

SIR - May I, on behalf of Instow School pupils, my own grandchildren and indeed, all those who harbour hidden dreams of tree houses, express my gratitude to Debbie Newcombe and John Rowe from RA Rowe & Co. Ltd, Architectural Design at Bude, Cornwall. Re

SIR - May I, on behalf of Instow School pupils, my own grandchildren and indeed, all those who harbour hidden dreams of tree houses, express my gratitude to Debbie Newcombe and John Rowe from RA Rowe & Co. Ltd, Architectural Design at Bude, Cornwall.

Readers may remember that pupils, as a school project, designed, from a child's point of view, the perfect tree house. However, there emerged a major "hiccup" when I was informed that I had to have planning permission with detailed drawings etc to the equivalent level as if I were building a block of flats - with the accompanying �150 (with certainly no guarantee that the plans would be passed). My scheme had run aground!

However, months later when The Gazette rang to see how things were progressing ...... to my surprise, they featured my "progress" on their front page! The reaction was quite astonishing!

The latest in this strange saga is that R.A. Rowe & Co Ltd sent their architect all the way from Bude; have taken numerous photographs; measurements and details of my tree and garden. John actually took away all the designs drawn by Instow pupils - as his brief was to keep as near to those ideas as possible.

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I must say, I was absolutely amazed and delighted with his final designs which I have just received in the post. My understanding is that these designs have been sent to NDC for comment. If they are acceptable, then they will be submitted to the planning committee for approval (or not)! Due entirely to R.A. Rowe & Co Ltd - it could be that I have the first "legalised" tree house in this country .... probably the world (or not) - depending on the vagaries of the planning committee!

The moral of this story? If you want something done ..... ring the Gazette!