JK Rowlings and Hogwarts Style Tree House

Just a bit of fluff for a holiday weekend in the U.S.  And what better fluff than some sour grapes thrown at none other than JK Rowlings and her kids, no less!  But lest you get upset, Scottish sensitivities prevailed... 

 



Photograph: Jp Masclet/AP

It seems the city of Edinburgh council has given  author,  JK Rowling, the go-ahead to construct two  Hogwarts-style tree houses in the grounds of her home, despite objections from neighbors.

 

The author JK Rowling has won permission to build two Hogwarts-style tree houses in the garden of her home, despite complaints from neighbors
 
Rowling plans to build the two-story structures for her children David, nine, and Kenzie, seven, in the grounds of her17th century mansion in an Edinburgh suburb. The author of the Harry Potter series was given permission by City of Edinburgh council despite objections from several neighbours who are already upset by other renovations and building work around her home.
 
Drawings submitted to the council's planners show the tree-houses will be erected on tall stilts beside mature conifers in the garden. They will have tall cedar shingle conical roofs and be connected by long partly-elevated walkways and a rope bridge.
 
The buildings will feature turreted windows, pennants, a basket and pulley, and an owl perch. David's playhouse will include a long tunnel under a walkway and a fireman's pole; his sister's boasts a trapdoor, rope ladder, a metal slide and spiral staircase down to the garden.
 
Members of Cramond and Barnton community council had urged the council to reject the proposals because they believed a gap in a line of trees in her garden meant the tree houses would be visible to passers-by. Dr Patricia Eason, the community council's secretary, said: "Our concern is without this high and substantial screening belt of conifers, the entrance to the conservation area would be marked by this massive and very high tree house development and this would be quite out of character with the area and unacceptable."
 

Rowling's application was approved without a vote by the council's planning committee because less than six objections were received.  John Bury, the council's head of planning and building standards, said: "The proposals comply with the development plan and will not adversely impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area."
 

Ah, democracy and, again, a large dash of common sense at work in Scotland!   JK Rowlings, enjoy your hard earned compensation.  Authors rule!