Well, we've all been there, haven't we? You build a log cabin in the grounds of your luxurious East Sussex estate, but then the local planning committee decide to retrospectively refuse permission for it and you have to raze it to the ground. That's what happened to Paul McCartney, who has been told by Rother District Council that the timber two bedroom lodge in the grounds of his farm in Peasemarsh must be removed.
A statement from Macca's people to the council said: "The owner has a requirement for privacy, seclusion and security that the buildings at Woodlands Farm cannot provide. This is due to the proximity of the public footpath that passes by the farmhouse and through the farmyard and also the activities connected with the working farm and machinery movements creating noise disturbance and safety issues. The lodge provides quiet, secluded and secure accommodation and is used only in lieu of the farmhouse, which will always be vacant when the lodge is occupied. The intention is not to increase the amount of residential property."
The committee remained unmoved, however, judging that: "No compelling justification for such a location has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. The proposal harms the intrinsic landscape quality and character of the High Weald. The new dwelling is not essential to the running of an enterprise which must be in a countryside location."
McCartney is expected to appeal the decision before getting out the bulldozers. So there you go.