Teenagers' den to be torn down over 'health and safety issues' in Devon

A den built by a group of teenagers near a coastal path could soon be demolished, because East Devon District Council says it constitutes 'illegal occupation'.

A nearby swing that has been loved by locals for at least two decades could also be removed.

A group of teenage boys from the village of Beer have been told the den they built near the Undercliff is 'unsafe' and could be torn down in just two weeks' time.

16-year-old Leo Gribble said: "It's a small village so we didn't have many places to go so we found an old concrete slab in the forest and we decided to look around for spare wood and it became a big thing after that.

"As you go into the den, you've got carpet, safe walls, we've got lights, paintings, board games to play, outdoor furniture."

The den was built from scratch on an old concrete slab. The teenagers say they sourced all the materials themselves but now the project has been hit by an illegal occupation notice.

The notice says that those in "unauthorised occupation" of the den must vacate the land by Tuesday (February 7) because they have not obtained a "lease or licence from the legal owner".

According to Leo, locals believe that the notice is the result of a single complaint to EDDC, who has now said that a number of factors mean that their "hands are legally tied" and they have been left with no choice but to remove the structure.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said: "The ‘den’ has been built near the Undercliff on East Devon District Council land, in an area not accessible by vehicles on a steep site, without the proper permissions.

"Following a complaint, we investigated the site and found a wooden shack made from drilled-together wooden pallets, along with a fire pit, rope swing, beer cans etc. There were numerous health and safety issues and as we are liable for the land and what happens on it, our hands our legally tied.

"This sadly means we will have to remove the items as we cannot risk the safety of someone’s child.

"We know there are mixed feelings locally and we hope the local community can understand this decision, even if they don’t agree with it."

The boys first became aware that there was a notice for the den when one of them went up and noticed a letter attached to it.

Leo subsequently took to the Beer community Facebook page to share the news, which attracted the attention of a Beer Parish Councillor who is reportedly disputing the notice on the teens' behalf.

Leo said: "I went up with one of the parish councillors to show them the place and they said they'd write up about it on Tuesday (January 31) so hopefully we hear some news from there."

"They've said that there was a rope swing but the rope swing isn't a part of the den, it's been on the Jubilee for decades, from what I've heard and it hasn't been a problem until now.

He went on: "There's nothing really for teenagers to do [in Beer]. There's a football club and most of us are a part of that but other than that, there's not much really.

"I'd like to know a full reasoning as to why there's been such a complaint about it and if there's anything we can do to at least help so we can keep it and it's ok with them."

Beer Parish Council has reportedly shown the boys an alternative, council-owned site but Leo says it is difficult for them to get to.

He said: "We've been brought to a field owned by the parish council but it's quite a far way from the place that we've already done it which is quite a trek to get to. It's right by a main road so it's not very safe at all."