A father in Cheltenham, England, has been ordered by his local council to tear down a treehouse he built with his nine-year-old autistic son. Pete Phipps and his son, Cooper, who has autism and severe anxiety, created the structure in Burrow's Field as a way to encourage Cooper to leave the house and connect with nature.
Phipps, an artist and sign writer, stated that the treehouse is a "sculptural and magical piece" and has served as a "special safe place" for him and Cooper. He explained that Cooper has not attended school for two years due to his autism and pathological demand avoidance (PDA), and home-schooling has led them to discover the benefits of outdoor activities for managing his anxieties. They began building the treehouse around a fallen tree last year, a spot known to locals as a gathering place for decades.
Leckhampton with Warden Hill Parish Council issued the order, citing that the treehouse is situated on public land shared with Cheltenham Borough Council. The council stated that the structure "must be covered by public liability insurance." Phipps and Cooper had been visiting the site almost daily since beginning the project, and Phipps noted that many locals were fond of the treehouse and upset by the demolition order.
According to the council spokesperson, they purchased Lott Meadow in December 2025 to preserve it as a community asset. After becoming aware of the treehouse, both the Parish Council and Cheltenham Borough Council met with Phipps. While the Parish Council initially committed to helping keep the treehouse in use, Cheltenham Borough Council's insurers declined to provide coverage. Subsequent inquiries with multiple brokers and specialist insurers by the Parish Council failed to secure the necessary public liability insurance for a structure on public land.
Phipps believes there are ways to make the treehouse safer without compromising its charm as a place for children to learn about nature, building, and outdoor play. He expressed that the treehouse has also become a collaborative project with local teenagers. The council acknowledged sympathy for the family's situation but stated they have no alternative due to insurance requirements and the poor health of the tree, adding that they are following advice from tree experts at Cheltenham Borough Council to prevent any incidents. The Parish Council thanked the community for understanding the balance between supporting play and ensuring safety.