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Barnet Bengal cattery demolished

Mr Catt bred Bengal cats

A huge enclosure built by an animal breeder to house Bengals and rare savannah cats in his back garden has been demolished after a two-year legal battle.

47-year-old Philip Catt built the cage, measuring 10m (33ft) by 8.6m (28ft), in Village Road, Finchley, North London, before seeking planning permission.

Last year the High Court upheld Barnet Council's decision not to grant him retrospective planning permission.

Neighbours had objected when Mr Catt built the cage in the conservation area.

Mr Catt, who changed his surname in 1996, built the first of four brick buildings in June 2006 then went on to construct a further three over the next 18 months.

Retrospective planning permission for his first structure was refused as it was deemed out of character with the conservation area.

Leader of Barnet council Mike Freer, said: "Mr Catt's nine lives have finally run out and the illegal structures that have blighted the lives of local residents can now finally be removed.

"I hope that this sends a clear signal that development without planning permission, especially within a conservation area, will not be tolerated." (BBC)