By Elli Hodgson by SWNS
Teenagers who devoted hundreds of hours to building a treehouse have been left devastated – after a council labeled it as “criminal damage” and had it torn down.
A group of friends started constructing the den in Hermitage Lane Woods in Maidstone, Kent at the end of May.
The idea was to create a new place to hang out together – with parents saying the project helped keep their kids away from the Xbox and PlayStation.
Initially, things started small, but over time more teenagers joined in and around 15 ended up building the treehouse.
They used logs which had laid in the woodland for a while to create the foundations – before adding a tarpaulin roof, a front door, some chairs and a sofa, and even a makeshift viewing platform.
However, the group’s efforts were derailed on July 26 when Croudace Homes, the developer of neighboring Hermitage Park Estate, fenced the treehouse off and started destroying it with a chainsaw.
The company’s employees – who told the group of kids they “didn’t want to” remove the structure – said they had been instructed to do so by Maidstone Council, which had deemed the structure “criminal damage”.
A spokesperson for the council said the treehouse had “caused serious harm which is damaging and detrimental to the protected ancient woodland” – meaning it had to be removed.
Reacting to the incident, one teenager, who did not want to be named, said: “We were upset because we spent so much time doing it. It’s not like we were harming anyone or doing anyone damage.
“Everybody loved it. People would smile at us and praise us saying how good it was when they walked past.
“We didn’t want to be sat indoors all day playing on our Xbox. Building this was a lot better. We went out there and enjoyed it.
“But they got a chainsaw and ripped it to pieces, although they were apologizing and telling us they didn’t want to do it.
“They destroyed it right in front of us. The only thing we find fun, they’ve taken away.”
Another boy added: “You hear about teenagers going round with knives, while we’re just trying to build something in the woods.
“It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong to anyone and they’ve taken it away from us.”
The kids aren’t the only ones upset by what happened.
Mel Banham and James Lyne, parents to Ethan Lyne, 13, slammed the developer as “hypocritical” for destroying the treehouse.
Lyne said: “Croudace Homes has built through the ancient woodland. They must have ripped down 100 trees in order to put their road through.
“But yet they’ve informed the police that the kids are causing damage for building a den in there.
“It’s hypocritical and disgraceful coming from the developers who have caused much more damage to that woodland than the kids ever have.
“I’m sure the police have better things to do than chase kids playing in the woods.”
Meanwhile, Banham said that the treehouse had given the teenagers a place to go – and insisted they weren’t causing any trouble.
She said: “We used to do it when we were young. It was a place to meet and there was nothing sinister about it.
“The den was giving them a place to be out of the way, not in town hanging around street corners.”
Since dismantling the kids’ treehouse, two signs have appeared from Croudace Homes which say: “This area is a protected ancient woodland.
“Several activities have taken place including cutting of protected trees, digging around tree routes, fly-tipping of furniture, and suspected drug use.
“This has been reported to the police.”
But Mel said: “My son is 13. There is no way in a million years he is smoking drugs.
“There are people that do smoke drugs in those woods but those are older kids and they have nothing to do with that treehouse or the den.”
Other parents voiced concerns about kids returning to playing on their Xboxes after the treehouse was destroyed.
One mom, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “In a world where children are always online, this was a creation of great pride.
“Children working alongside each other showing immense teamwork – out in the fresh air and off of digital products.
“The entire community is outraged [the council] would do this and without any dialogue with the children.”
John Harmer, a Maidstone-based math teacher, is one community member upset by the destruction of the treehouse.
He said: “I felt disappointment and frustration for these young people [when I saw it had been removed].
“I was thinking how now they will sit at home on their PlayStations or Xbox, and if not, will roam around town.
“I certainly saw the treehouse as a positive. They were keeping out of harm’s way and learning practical skills.
“Now you wouldn’t even know there had been a treehouse there. It’s all gone, everything’s gone.”
Lyne, Banham, and Harmer all believe there should have been a discussion between the council and those making the treehouse before it was destroyed.
Lyne said: “It could have been a conversation rather than a heavy-handed approach.”
In response to the outrage, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) said in a statement: “MBC understands the concerns raised regarding young people’s mental health and the need for outdoor play.
“However, the treehouse that has been constructed in Hermitage Lane Woods has caused serious harm, which is damaging and detrimental to the protected ancient woodland, and therefore considered as criminal damage.
“The construction company has conditions that they have to adhere to as well as a duty to protect and maintain the ancient woodland.
“However, MBC has contacted the developer to remove the fencing and all the structures, wood and rubbish in the area.”
A spokesperson for Croudace Homes added: “The ancient woodland within our Hermitage Park development is protected land as set out by Maidstone Borough Council.
“Whilst we encourage local communities to enjoy the outdoors, this must not be at the expense of the local environment and safety of residents, and unfortunately a number of ancient trees have been removed without permission.
“We are liaising with the relevant Planning Enforcement Officer to agree suitable next steps.”
