Surrey farmer Robert Fidler fails to demolish ‘castle’
26 June 2015
From the section Surrey
Robert Fidler built the house in 2002 and hid it behind hay bales for four years
A farmer who built a mock-Tudor castle without planning permission has failed to demolish it despite a court order.
Robert Fidler built the home at Honeycrock Farm, in Salfords, Surrey, in 2002 and hid it behind hay bales.
He has been fighting to keep it ever since but in April lost an appeal against a High Court order that it should be demolished by 24 June.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said planners would be considering the council’s next course of action.
The four-bedroom property, on greenbelt land, includes a kitchen, living room, study, a gravelled forecourt and a conservatory.
Robert Fidler said he needed to live on the farm because of his cattle
Mr Fidler, who keeps a herd of Sussex cattle at the farm, submitted a new planning application in February 2014 to retain the house, in Axes Lane, on the basis of agricultural need.
Permission was refused and the case, once again, went to the High Court.
An injunction last June ordered the house to be demolished.
“As Mr Fidler has not complied with the injunction, the planning committee will be considering the council’s next course of action at their …read more
Source:: BBC world news feed
