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Surrey farmer Robert Fidler fails to demolish 'castle' | Surrey farmer Robert Fidler fails to demolish 'castle' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A farmer who built a mock-Tudor castle without planning permission has failed to demolish it despite a court order. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The four-bedroom property, on greenbelt land, includes a kitchen, living room, study, a gravelled forecourt and a conservatory. |
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. | 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. | Permission was refused and the case, once again, went to the High Court. |
An injunction last June ordered the house to be demolished. | 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 meeting on 1 July," said a council spokesman. | "As Mr Fidler has not complied with the injunction, the planning committee will be considering the council's next course of action at their meeting on 1 July," said a council spokesman. |
Mr Fidler said in April he accepted he had no choice but to demolish the house but said on Friday it would be like Picasso ripping up his best oil painting. | Mr Fidler said in April he accepted he had no choice but to demolish the house but said on Friday it would be like Picasso ripping up his best oil painting. |
He also said he had sold his home to an Indian businessman. | |
"The greenbelt law says that any new house should not be allowed unless there are very special circumstances," he said. | "The greenbelt law says that any new house should not be allowed unless there are very special circumstances," he said. |
"The example that Parliament gives for very special circumstances is a farmer who has to be here to look after his cattle, which is exactly my situation." | "The example that Parliament gives for very special circumstances is a farmer who has to be here to look after his cattle, which is exactly my situation." |
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