Council tenants could be forced to take down children’s play equipment, storage units and even barbecues if they have been fixed in gardens without permission.

Yesterday, the assistant director of housing operations for Epping Forest District Council, Roger Wilson, told the Guardian that in light of a recent complaint, he had to consider what is appropriate for council tenants to have in shared gardens.

A series of meetings were held after Ian Smith from Reed Court, Waltham Abbey, was denied permission to build a shed in the garden of the block of flats which he lives in.

Mr Wilson says that it will now be made clear that council tenants who share a garden will not be allowed to make additions to them without seeking permission first.

Those who have, will be forced to remove them. He said: “As far as I’m concerned it is not a change of rules.

I think because of what Mr Smith has raised, it has made us look at what we do.

“As it has come to my attention, obviously it has made me think that we need to look at this to make sure we are doing the right thing.

“I have had a chat with managers and legal services. Although we would like residents to have these things, it is difficult for us to say yes.

“We are now going to add a clause about communal gardens to tenancy agreements.

“People who have erected sheds without the council’s permission are going to see enforcement orders to take them down. It will be the same with fixed children’s play equipment and barbeques.

“I cannot see a way around it. I have thought about this on the weekends.

“We will be consulting on such matters with tenants as we review the agreements later in the year.”

The next step for Mr Smith will be to go to the government Ombudsman to challenge the decision made by the council. Mr Smith, 52, says that he is going to take the case as far as he can.

He said: “It is just a shed. My neighbours are all in support of it, I just cannot see the problem. I have had a shed in council housing before.

“I look after the gardens here and I just want somewhere to store the equipment, I don’t mind if I have to pay for it or if it is shared.”