Haystack "castle" must be pulled down (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Haystack "castle" must be pulled down

5:02pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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A MAN who hid a house behind a haystack in an effort to avoid planning laws has been ordered to tear it down.

A planning inspector ruled that Robert Fidler, who built the castle-style home on his land at Honeycrock Farm, Salfords, should demolish it within 12 months.

Mr Fidler, 59, secretly built the house without planning permission in 2001, concealing it behind hay bales for five years.

He hoped to take advantage of a legal loophole which allows developments to remain if there are no objections within four years.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council served an enforcement notice on the property last year along with eleven others relating to unauthorised developments and activities on the farm in Axes Lane, inlcuding a race track, a marquee and a conservatory extension. All are on Green Belt land - a rural area protected from development.

Mr Fidler appealed and an inquiry was opened in January.

Two of his appeals were successful. The conversion of a large barn into industrial units was allowed along with a limited range of uses in the building.

Council leader Lynne Hack said: "We're pleased that deception has not been rewarded and that our green belt has been protected.

"Clearly it is unfortunate that Mr Fidler will have to tear down the property he built, but he already had a home on the site, and planning law doesn't distinguish between one man building a house and developers building 200 houses and everyone has to abide by the same rules. We have to protect our green belt land from development.

"We will be urging the Government to look again at planning law as it should be made clear that the four-year rule should not be invoked if blatant deception has occurred."

The luxury house, which cost £50,000 to build, has two turrets, crenelations and cannons.

Mr Fidler has the right of appeal to the High Court against the decision.

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