Authority orders dad to tear down ‘safe haven’ he built for son after murder on his street
A London father has been ordered to demolish a rooftop games room he built for his young son after a fatal shooting near their home.
Jon O’Brien, an electrician, bought his property in Acton in 2021 – but shortly afterwards, a 23-year-old man was killed on the street outside.
Fearing for his child’s safety amid rising street violence, Mr O’Brien spent £40,000 building a wooden play space atop his flat.
“Someone was murdered outside the front of our place and it was so close there were flowers in our driveway,” he said.
Mr O’Brien then hired an architect to design and build the structure – a one-storey rooftop building with a number of small games rooms inside.
The architect assured him that planning permission had been secured from the council.
He told the Daily Mail: “It cost £40,000, which was our life savings at the time, to get the architect involved to liaise with the council which he said he did.”
But now, Ealing Council has demanded the structure be removed.
Ealing Council ordered Jon O’Brien to tear down the extension
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GETTY
The electrician only discovered the truth when a council official arrived at his door to inform him no permission existed.
He added: “But I think we were played.”
The expense burned through the family’s entire savings.
Mr O’Brien then appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, arguing the rooftop retreat was constructed out of concern for his family’s welfare.
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The inspector acknowledged the father’s worries about antisocial behaviour and violence in the neighbourhood, including the murder near his property.
The inspector said: “I therefore understand the appellant’s security concerns and the importance of the development to him and his family.
“However, the property provides alternative secure external amenity space, albeit uncovered.”
The council ruled the structure must come down because it “harms the character of the area”.
Despite recognising the family’s circumstances, the inspector concluded the benefits did not outweigh the harm caused.
In a staggering revelation, Mr O’Brien said the complainant’s tenants’ children also use the play space he built.
“We’ve gone back to the council and said we can redesign it but they’re not even interested in doing that,” he said.
He described the council’s refusal as “very rude”, adding there were numerous options to modify the structure while maintaining it as a safe area.
The family is now weighing up whether to sell their home or leave London altogether.
Mr O’Brien said: “Leaving London, I don’t know because of schools – but that’s definitely one option on the table.”
He has been given three months to demolish the structure and clear all debris.
An Ealing Council spokesman said: “The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed the owners planning appeal and upheld the council’s enforcement notice.
“The inspector found the unauthorised roof extension and staircase caused unacceptable harm to neighbouring residents, including loss of light, outlook and privacy, and conflicted with planning policy.
“While we understand the personal circumstances put forward, the Inspector was clear that these did not outweigh the planning harm identified. Planning decisions must be made in accordance with planning legislation.”
