Macca told to justify cabin

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has been told to justify building a log cabin on his country estate or face having it torn down.

The rock star has been refused retrospective permission to keep the secluded timber lodge and gym in the grounds of Woodlands Farm in Brede Lane, Peasmarsh, near Rye, East Sussex.

Representatives for Sir Paul, 64, said he needed the two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-storey lodge to maintain his privacy.

But the musician has failed to get planning permission for the buildings and Rother District Council has warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, they will have to come down.

The council's head of planning, Frank Rallings, said today he expected revised applications to be submitted from Macca's planning agents outlining justification for the buildings, but so far that has not happened.

Mr Rallings said: "After four years, a building which has been constructed without planning permission becomes immune from enforcement action, so the clock is ticking for us.

"We cannot let this go on forever, but we may have to resolve it through enforcement and appeal."

A supporting statement on behalf of the ex-Beatle in one of the planning applications 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 letter added that Sir Paul had been a landowner in the area for many years, with his farm producing "crops and wool".

The letter said: "There is a commitment to natural methods and the farms and produce have gained recognition and designation as organic status."