Teenage boys' den for playing board games could be torn down after one complaint
A children's den built near the beach has come under fire and could be torn down after a single complaint.
The nearby swing that has been loved by locals for at least two decades could also be ripped out.
A group of teenage boys from the village of Beer in East Devon have been told that the den they built near the Undercliff is unsafe and could be destroyed in just two weeks' time.
It comes after a claim was lodged over an "illegal occupation" by East Devon District Council (EDDC).
According to to one of the boys, the den was built on an old concrete slab completely from scratch, with materials they sourced themselves.
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Leo Gribble, 16, told Devon Live : "It's a small village so we didn't have many places to go.
The 'illegal' den must be vacated by Monday before its demolition (Mary Stenson/DevonLive)"So we found an old concrete slab in the forest and we decided to look around for spare wood and it became a big thing after that.
"As you go into the den, you've got carpet, safe walls, we've got lights, paintings, board games to play, outdoor furniture."
The project has now been hit by an illegal occupation notice, following an investigation by EDDC.
In the notice, it states that those in "unauthorised occupation" of the den must vacate the land by February 7, having not obtained "lease or licence from the legal owner".
According to Leo, locals believe that the notice is the result of a single complaint to EDDC which has said that a number of factors means that their "hands are legally tied" and they have been left with no choice but to remove the structure.
The council was quizzed on why the den is being removed, if and why the terms 'illegal camping' or 'trespassing' had been used as reasons for demolition, what the nature of the complaint was and why the longstanding rope swing is also supposedly being removed.
A spokesperson for the council said: "The den has been built near the Undercliff on East Devon District Council land, in an area not accessible by vehicle on a steep site, without the proper permissions.
"Following a complaint, we investigated the site and found a wooden shack made from drilled-together wooden pallets, along with a fire pit, rope swing, beer cans etc."
The council claims that there were "numerous health and safety issues" and that its hands are "legally tied" since it is liable for the land and what happens on it.
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"This sadly means we will have to remove the items as we cannot risk the safety of someone’s child," the spokesperson added.
"We know there are mixed feelings locally and we hope the local community can understand this decision, even if they don’t agree with it."
The boys first became aware that there was a notice for the den when one of them went up and noticed a letter attached to it.
Leo subsequently took to the Beer community Facebook page to share the news, which attracted the attention of a Beer Parish Councillor who is reportedly disputing the notice on the teens' behalf.
Leo said: "Yesterday afternoon [February 1] I went up with one of the Parish Councillors to show them the place and they said they'd write up about it on Tuesday [January 31] so hopefully we hear some news from there."
When asked what he understood by EDDC's safety concerns, he said: "They've said that there was a rope swing but the rope swing isn't a part of the den, it's been on the Jubilee for decades, from what I've heard and it hasn't been a problem until now.
He went on: "There's nothing really for teenagers to do. There's a football club and most of us are a part of that but other than that, there's not much really.
"I'd like to know a full reasoning as to why there's been such a complaint about it and if there's anything we can do to at least help so we can keep it and it's ok with them."
Beer Parish Council has reportedly shown the boys an alternative, council-owned site but Leo says it's difficult for them to get to.
He said: "We've been brought to a field owned by the Parish Council but it's quite a far way from the place that we've already done it which is quite a trek to get to. It's right by a main road so it's not very safe at all."
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