A FAMILY which was told to take down a tree house because it didn't have planning permission have been allowed to keep it after neighbours rallied round in support.

In April, the Evening Post reported that Bristol City Council had asked the Beeston family to remove their tree house – even though there had been one in their garden for about 25 years.

The family decided to fight the council's orders, and found out that their campaign had been successful and the tree house could stay.

The current version of the tree house, which is used by owner Hamish Beeston's two daughters Scarlett, nine and Blanche, six, was built about three years ago.

Mr Beeston, who runs a corporate video business with his wife Penny, said he never thought the tree house would need planning permission.

But in April a council representative came to their door and explained that there was a problem with the structure, particularly because it was in the front garden and visible from the road, which was part of a conservation area.

Mr Beeston put up a notice on their fence of their home in Cotham Park to ask local people what they thought, and set up a Facebook group to gather support, before applying for retrospective planning permission.

Several neighbours and people in the surrounding area wrote to the council to say they thought the structure should be allowed to stay.

Mr Beeston, 40, said: "We are delighted that the tree house can stay. There is only one condition – which we suggested – that we must paint it a colour to be agreed with the council, probably a dark brown to camouflage it.

"The girls are really pleased with the news because none of us wanted to lose it.

"It's a nice story of the council showing common sense in the end, and taking residents' views seriously.

"We had so much support, it has been really lovely. We even felt that if we didn't get our way with it, it wouldn't be that bad because in a way the whole process had been so nice and we have had the chance to get to know a lot more people in our area."

Kate Hartas, spokeswoman for Bristol City Council, said: "The council considered this application and have decided to approve it."