Rhuallt tree house gets planning refusal
A mahogany-clad tree house measuring 4m (13ft) by 2m (6ft) has been refused retrospective planning permission by Denbighshire councillors.
Planners want Mike Walsh to remove the structure near his home at Rhuallt, within the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
They say the tree house, 3m (9ft) above the ground, has an "unacceptable impact" on the beauty spot.
BBC Wales has asked Mr Walsh's agent to comment on the matter.
A report to planning committee councillors shows that the AONB joint advisory committee also opposes the tree house.
It says it "deplores the retrospective nature of this proposal and regrets that a number of applications on this site have been submitted retrospectively in recent years."
It goes on to say the tree house "introduces an incongruous and inappropriate feature into the rural scene".
The tree house is in open countryside about 170 metres away from the main house and 150 metres away from the nearest neighbours.
Planning officers recommended that permission be refused when councillors met on Wednesday, saying it is out character for the area.
They are also want permission to take enforcement action to have the tree house removed and to "return the land to agricultural use".
The applicant, Mr Walsh, with his brother Sean, set up Anglia insurance repairs in nearby Dyserth which sold for £37m in 2007.