Our relief as door closes on ‘playgate’

BIRTHDAY present . . . Jacob Heron’s (4) playhouse

THE family at the centre of a planning row have won a reprieve for their son’s controversial Wendy house.

Oldham Council rejected planning permission for the 5ft 7ins shed in the front garden of a house in Huddersfield Road, Diggle after complaints from neighbours forced Michael Heron (26) and Jenna Hulme (25) to apply for planning permission for four-year-old Jacob’s playhouse.

The couple spent £172 applying for planning permission, which was rejected.

The couple then launched an online petition to save the garden play-den — a present for Jacob’s fourth birthday — and collected over 2,000 signatures in support.

But the couple had good news after meeting a planning officer - who told them the playhouse can stay, under a few conditions.

Mr Heron said: “We all feel happy and relieved that our children can keep their safe place to play. To some extent our confidence has also been restored in the planning system by the planning officer. He had a realistic view when helping us to work towards a resolution.”

Planners have asked the family to make the house blend in more with the area. I’m still not sure if the Wendy house should have been subject to planning in the first place, but we are just happy we get to keep the house and the fence without having to reapply for planning.”

Mr Heron thanked everyine who had pledged support: “We really appreciate their support and time and wouldn’t be here without them,” he said.