St Mary’s residents have won a battle to save their treehouse after more than 500 people signed a petition to keep the 6.7m high play equipment in Arundel Square Gardens.
Hollywood actor Rupert Graves was one of the hundreds who campaigned to keep the structure, which this week won planning permission from the council that put it up in the first place.
Mr Graves said: “The treehouse adds much more than it takes away and I’m thrilled permission has been granted.
“It’s so easy to constrain children in cities and anything which can get them to go a little bit wild and crazy is great.”
The play-area was erected in March without any consultation with residents who overlook the square.
Councillors rejected proposals to screen the treehouse because they said altering the structure would “harm the character and appearance of the park”.
Leo Murray, the director of Monkey Do, the company that made the treehouse, said: “The expression of support from the local community has been so massive and overwhelming.
“If permission had not been granted we would have been robbed of our best portfolio piece. I hope to make more treehouses in local communities where they want something for older children. I think the kids are going to be delighted.”
Objector Olivia Cole complained that people can see into her flat from the top of the structure, which was erected in March without any consultation.
Ms Cole added that youths who climb on the structure after dark can be “noisy and insulting”.
Supporters have dismissed such claims, arguing that any offences which have taken place do not relate to the structure.
