High Court tells farmer to demolish his dream home

The Pint of Milk Test had this story way back in February 2008. The story is of a Surrey farmer who built this house...

on his own land, but had no planning permission. He hid it behind straw bales for 4 years to try and get around the planning system and a legal loop hole whereby you can apply for a 'certificate of lawfulness'. This is whereby homeowners can gain immunity from eviction who have lived in a property for more than 4 years without any objections. Unfortunately for the apptly named farmer Mr Fiddler, Reigate and Banstead Council decided that the 4 year rule was void because nobody had been given a chance to see the castle. 

The vital part of illegality which the council stated and the High court agreed with was that the house was invalid because the building and removal of the bales constituted a part of the construction process. Mr Fiddler has now been given 12 months to demolish the structure, remove any rubble and return the site to its existing use (a field). 

The BBC also has the story, as well as a short interview with Mr Fiddler himself who says he will fight on...

What are your views? Do you believe the council are right to object to this development as it could well set a precedent? Or do you think they should keep their noses out of it? View them over at the Pint of Milk Test Forum.