Retrospective planning permission is being sought from the council to build a tree house in a back garden, complete with a storage area for kayaks underneath.

The tree house, in the garden of a property in Hallam Crescent, Nelson, has been under construction since May, but homeowner, David White, only submitted a planning application to Pendle Borough Council on July 12.

It is believed that retrospective permission is being sought because the tree house, once fully erected, will overlook the cemetery at St John’s Church on Barkerhouse Road, resulting in a potential loss of privacy.

Therefore, Historic England were consulted on the proposals, but provided no objections to the build.

A consultee statement from Historic England read: “Thank you for your consultation regarding the above application.

“On the basis of the information available to date, in our view you do not need to notify or consult us on this application under the relevant statutory provisions.”

A wider consultation has also been launched to include neighbouring properties and residents have until August 9 to comment on the application.