A FARMER who built a castle on his land without permission has had his appeal heard by the planning inspectorate, after he was ordered to knock it down.
Bob Fidler, of Honeycrock Farm in Salfords, concealed his dream home behind massive stacks of straw after he completed it in 2002. With his wife Linda and son Harry, he lived in the covert castle in secret until 2006 when he revealed his home to the world, believing it was immune from planning controls. But council officers issued Mr Fidler with an enforcement notice in 2007, claiming he had built the castle on green belt and had intentionally failed to notify them. Since then, the father-of-one has been battling Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, and has even taken his case to the High Court.
On Tuesday the planning inspectorate carried out an inquiry into the development. As part of his appeal to the council, Mr Fidler claims the building had been finished for more than four years before the enforcement notice was served, and the council had been aware of the development since 2006 without taking action. He says this means he is now legally allowed to live there.
Mr Fidler declined to comment further when contacted by the Mirror. The inspectorate's decision is expected in the next few weeks.