Masterchef semi-finalist may have to tear down 'shed restaurant' in back garden because it doesn't have planning permission

A former Masterchef semi-finalist has irked her local council after building a restaurant in her back garden without planning permission.

Kathryn Minchew opened the intimate wooden six-seater eaterie called ‘The Studio’ last November which she believes has proved popular with local residents.

But the wooden hut has not been to the taste of council officials, who say she must apply for retrospective planning permission for the unique restaurant - or face tearing it down.

Kathryn, 32, who reached the penultimate stage of the hit BBC TV cooking show in 2008, said she was optimistic despite the circumstances.

The unusual restaurant was inspired by a trip to Barcelona, where she visited Tast-Ller - a restaurant inside an apartment.

She said: ‘When I first looked into building my studio, my builders and I believed that planning permission was not necessary.

‘It was only at the end of the year that someone from Gloucester City Council contacted me.

‘I immediately invited him to visit and he is satisfied about the business activity but he felt that, contrary to my research, planning permission was needed. 

She takes just two bookings a month and said neighbours have been ‘very enthusiastic’ about the project.

Martin Shields from Gloucester City Council said residents have until March 26 to make their views known. 

He said: ‘We've written to residents in the area and invited them to send us their comments.’

RELATED SLIDESHOW: SHED OF THE YEAR 2015