Rowling gets go-ahead for demolition

HARRY Potter author JK Rowling has been given the go-ahead to demolish a £1 million house to make way for a garden extension at her Edinburgh mansion.

Conservation watchdog the Cockburn Association noted the loss of a "perfectly adequate and functional recently-constructed dwelling" but did not object to demolition of the 1970s property because it went some way to restoring an original garden plot.

Planning officials said the proposals "enhanced the character and appearance" of the setting of the B-listed mansion and argued the principal of demolition was acceptable in this instance.

Ms Rowling and her husband Neil Murray bought their mansion for a reported 2m about 18 months ago.

Plans for the new garden ground include a greenhouse and a "garden room" folly with a nine-metre conical tower.