The family hid the house behind hay bales 40ft high for four years while it was being built - in a failed bid to avoid having to apply for planning permission

An Englishman's home is his castle: The Fidlers dream home complete with ramparts and cannons

The Fidler's country kitchen is located in the turret of their 'castle'

Reader views (61)

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Absolutely typical of the stupid English people we've become. I can't believe that people are slating him. Fair play to him i say. I want as i'm sure that every other hard working person in Britain wants is a good size house with land but on my budget i've got to stick to a crappy 3 bedroom house/dog kennel that's over looked by everyone in your street and the next. The house and land price's in the UK are crazy. So if your not a member of a corrupt council then you need to think off inventive ways to get round the oppressive system. How have we British people got so blindfolded. LET HIM KEEP THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Adam, Chorley, 05/09/2010 05:52
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Start a petition. Get the votes from local people. If you have 3000 people who live locally who all agree that it an ADDITION to the cultural wealth, showing ingenuity, creativity, the staunchness of one English man, then some little grey group of non-achievers will have to WITHDRAW their objections. If need be there is a whole ARMY of defenders who will arrive to defend the FREEDOM of a man to build his own castle, just make a website.
Robert Fidler, go and look at http://www.guedelon.fr/en/
The French seem to have sorted out the NEED today for alternative thinking, which is one reason I live here. You can build ANYTHING on your own land WITHOUT permission if it is smaller than 20 square metres.
If you build something ugly and not suitable then OF COURSE it should be disallowed, but this man built something better than ANY of the objectors I would guess. The only thing THEY have are paragraphs, representing the evolution of a nation, this man IS the very EVOLUTION.

- Kenneth Keen, Several places in Europe, today France, 30/06/2010 11:18
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Take it to the European courts, they be sensible and sympathetic, and if not at least it will drag it out for another couple of years and p off all those vindictive, jealous people.....

- Clare, Birmingham, England, 11/04/2010 09:42
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There are building codes all over the USA. All most everywhere you must build a like structure in housing communities. City planners and community developers have restrictions on the design and structure of homes in their communities. You cannot build anything you want, any where you want. Not in the USA. Just like I don't want the 5.5 acre (1 family house tobe torn down) parcel on the dead-end of my street, divded up into 6 percels. We are a small subdivision with 3 to 5.5 acre lots and 3000-7000 sq ft houses. Now the owner of that 5.5 acre lot is planning this development and throwing up small vynle sided houses at the back of the community. They bought it a years ago and never improved the property. It would be a beautiful estate given some tlc.

- Florence, Virginia, USA, 27/02/2010 22:38
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He should move to the USA where we are free to build our own homes with out a silly planning permission. How do you folks live there with someone telling you how to do everything? Do they tell you what toilet paper to use to wipe your bottoms too?

- Me, USA, 20/02/2010 06:51
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I knew this bloke grew up around his first family how very typical of him. Naughty but he is a decent generous and cheerful bloke who would do anything for you even if his beliefs are a bit mad (creationist type) The most Texan Englishman I ever met. He should pay a fine and ask the villagers to vote on it.

- Missthang, Sussex, 08/02/2010 16:38
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its his property. everyone has the rights to fullfill their desires. he didnt steal anyone's money for build this house. let him keep his lovely palace. i really love it. =)

- Yohinie T, Toronto, Canada, 05/02/2010 18:16
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There is also the issue of Building Regulations consent, which this house will not have, either. What is it standing on? Is the external structure sound? What about drainage? Fire safety? Upper level structurally sound?
So yes, lets let everone do what they want, shall we ?. You then may, one day, be able to buy a house like that. Great eh.?
Of course you know it is completelly uninsurable

- Frank, Bristol, 05/02/2010 16:18
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Its a nice house, and I do agree that the planning laws are rather stupid BUT........ Mr Fidler started with dishonest intentions. As such these should not be rewarded.

Any chance I could have the cannons for my folly when they pull it down?

- Stephen Vernon, London, 05/02/2010 07:48
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Let the man keep him house and live his dream not everyone goes through that much excitement in their lives and it is nice to see someone happy for once with the way the economy is going.

- Brandy, Indiana, 05/02/2010 04:54
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Well, fair play to him if he gets to keep it. He'll only have turned a few grands worth of agricultural land, into a million, in just 4 years!

- Vicky, Solihull, UK, 05/02/2010 01:55
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I prefer the bails of hay and blue tarpaulin

- Martin, London, 04/02/2010 21:03
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This is absolutely rediculous! All of this mans hard work for nothing?
They have no right to tear this beautiful home down. I think he has every right to do what he did. After all it's his property hello!!!

- Kendal Stockdale, Hillsboro, 04/02/2010 19:46
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i think you could apply for retrospective planning permission, or a certificate of comfort.my view is that this great country of ours is so flawed,that the best thing you can do is get the hell out of this place. i hope you win, start a petition, that used to work.good luck.

- Helen, glasgow ,scotland, 04/02/2010 15:37
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They should make him get an inspection by a qualified architect or engineer to make sure its sound, and then charge him a fine large enough to deter anyone from attempting to skirt the planning department. In the meantime, his home should be condemned until the inspections are done, and he and his family should have to live somewhere else in the interim as an extra punishment.

- David, Thomasville Ga USA, 04/02/2010 14:25
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It is truly a beautiful home and I agree with so many of you...let the man and his family keep his home. I agree with the post which said the neighbors are jealous and the officials are embarrassed they've been had. That's all it comes down to. Keep fighting Fidler family!!! You have the right to your home.

- Heidi Bortel, Eaton, OH USA, 04/02/2010 13:35
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He should be able to keep the house! sooner or later most of our greenbelt land will be built on by the councils. don't forget that the government want to build more homes in this country as we are becoming over populated.
He should keep it! Just let it be. who's going to care in a hundred years.

- Jennifer, West Sussex, 04/02/2010 10:20
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The English really are mad. So an unappealing 40ft tall 'barn-like' building stood for years and no one complains but the people finally see a beautiful effort and they shout foul?!!!!

Last week it was a woman threatened with prison time for noisy lovemaking...CCTV litters London...

Frankly Mr Fidler seem too brave and courageous to be English!

You should be proud he's one of you!!!!!

- Sisi Chein, Kano, Nigeria, 04/02/2010 04:49
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Destroy! Kill! Demolish! Yay!
The government is only good for: making criminals out of brave freemen like this one & corpses out of living human beings.

- Outs, USSR, 04/02/2010 04:39
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..boggles the mind...whichever way you look at it..!!

- Carmel, chicago Illinois, 04/02/2010 01:45
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I understand that rules have to be made to make sure that an area does not become and eyesore. I am English and live in Texas, USA. (believe me come to TX and see how some people trash their land in the country, it's criminal!) I can't see him leaving old rusty trucks and washing machines in his back yard can you? When people think of England they often think of castles and knights, that's what makes a trip to England so special. England needs a few more castlles to keep out the evil black knights ie: the counsellors! I say pull up the drawbridge and get the hot oil ready! Ask the real prince Harry to come and visit! It could be a nice getaway for him LOL
I really hope that he gets to keep his home.

- Anita, san angelo tx usa, 04/02/2010 01:25
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This is shocking. A beautiful house. How dare that dastardly council make them tear it down. I mean it is very nice! A treat to look at. Pie in the face of the country that makes this be destroyed. Farmers are no longer given respect or credence.

They could compromise and inspect it, this seems like it should help the rule mongers from feeling they have a complete loss. The quote from the council/official said that he didn't apply for the permit retroactively, implying that such a thing they would consider.

- Blaise, Georgia, USA, 03/02/2010 23:17
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This story is absolutely genius! what a real man, and a fantastic home. If the council do decide to take this beautiful house down, somebody tell me and I will camp next to the house and stop them (if given permission by Mr Fidler of course)

I think a facebook group or campaign should be made to get people backing agaisnt the council on this one, Just because the council can't be seen loosing doesn't mean a mans 4years efforts have to be ripped apart.

Keep up the good fight !

- James Cosgrove, Canterbury, 03/02/2010 20:14
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Sorry Robert, I called you Rodger!!

- Karen Ekin, Dungannon Northern Ireland, 03/02/2010 19:51
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I'm appalled that the complaints only came after the bales of hay came down. I'm sure the problem is two-fold: his neighbors are jealous, and the city council is upset that it has been had.

Most of the time, in the States, if you outwit the lawmakers, then the lawmakers have to eat their mistake and word the law better. This would be a better solution for everyone involved. The fact that people are cheering for the government to demolish a perfectly fine home is shameful.

If the man built a safe, and attractive, home on his land, I fail to see what harm he has really caused. The law is a tool, it should not be an object of worship.

- Bill, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 03/02/2010 18:21
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All council planning people are complete jobs worths. The fact that a massive pile of hay, tyres, and blue plastic is allowed to stay up but a beautiful castle cannot is complete alian to me. And any prat on this thread who is using the old 'He broke the rules, he should have to deal with the consequences' line should join the council who are making him take it down. Jobsworths unite!

- Russell, Kent, 03/02/2010 17:22
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I don't get it. He can erect a hideous display of bail and tires for several years, but as soon as everyone see's a beautiful home underneath that's when they get upset. Where was said 'council' (I'm assuming these are equivalent to what we know in America as an HOA) when that hay was just sitting there?

- Casey, Los Angeles, USA, 03/02/2010 16:42
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Epping Forest District Council wants to build on green belt land just to fulfill housing quotas, as someone else has mentioned in the comments. We have a housing shortage crisis yet councils wants to pull people's homes down. Yes, he didn't apply for planning permission, but no one objected. That's the point. He got round a loophole and the judge has moved the goalposts.

This country is being aesthetically ruined by big companies with big money who can build pretty much what they want: out-of-town retail parks, endless shopping malls, faceless glass office blocks and horrible "regeneration" developments (the waterfront of Liverpool is a classic example). It is not being spoilt by the little people who want to build an extension to their 2-bed semi in the suburbs.

We need to have planning but it needs to be run by sensible people, not corrupt and petty local council jobs-worths who like nothing less than wasting council-taxpayers money on needlessly taking people to court.

- Tim, Loughton, Essex, 03/02/2010 16:37
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It is something beautiful that Robert Fidler had build, he should be able to claim for allowance for the once little known town of Banstead had made headline. I would like to travel to Banstead to have a look at that beautiful house, if the structure does not causes harm or inconvenience, why torn it down?

- Jason, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, 03/02/2010 14:37
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If there was nothing in the 4 year rule about having the house hidden then that's the fault of the council for not including a "Covering up clause" in the terms&conditions.
Councillors manage to find loopholes for any number of things but when we, the regular public, do it we're all over the papers and the poor bugger is being told to tear down his house.
It just shows that hard work and smart thinking don't always pay off as there's always some bunch of spiteful, heartless people ready to rain on your parade.
There was a good point about the lack of complaints from neighbours at having to look at bales of hay and blue tarp for 4 years, now they've got a beautiful labour of love to bring up the value of their neighbourhood and their houses and they're kicking up a stink. Sad, very sad.

The Council could retrospectively grant planning permission if it meets inspection guidelines and local building regs. And give him a pat on the back for having such an amazing idea.

- Peep_Squeak, London, 03/02/2010 12:19
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Peter from Sussex had a good point, Google Earth, or even the satellite view from Google Maps.
At what point was the castle shown on these?
If it was during the four years, or even during construction, then the castle was visible to far more people than the council could ever think possible, and yet no objections.
Might be worth checking out, good luck !!

- Carl, Haverhill, UK, 03/02/2010 12:10
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good on you in derby thay built a football traning ground on green belt they can do as they like money talks

- Glennmiller, derby, 12/01/2010 01:21
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go on ya legend,smash the system,my house hasnt made the papers yet,thank god

- James Duggan, dunmanway,cork,ireland, 07/01/2010 23:45
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I love this - what a brave family! Keep up your fight with the council. Find out every loop hole you can and show them what for. We need to show we are the bosses and pay their wages and huge pensions.
Personally I am in a discrimination situation with the council and it is causing untold misery. When I heard David Cameron saying he wanted to give councils more power it sent shivers up my spine.
It's time the councils were brought into line. They have FAR too much power. There's no compassion in them at all. The towns in the West Midlands are ruined by empty shops boarded up because the councils charge so much in rates they put people out of business. They seem to be happy with the situation and it never enters their heads that they're the cause of the shops being left empty. They draw yellow lines outside the shops to stop shoppers parking outside to go and shop. They hound motorists who park for just a second where they shouldn't. They should be forced to take lessons in kindness and compassion (and pay for them out of their own pockets of course) The country would be a much nicer place to live then.

- H Whitehurst, Midlands, 18/08/2009 21:11
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I think the house/castle is amazing and whilst I agree that greenbelt land should be protected, the council seem to build whatever they like, wherever they like and we simply have to put up with it. I hope Mr. Fidler manages to keep his home, its a great example of what can be done by one family with determination and imagination. Its certainly better than a motorway, airport or shopping centre.
If he has any plans available I would love a copy of them.

- Anne, Suffolk, UK, 05/01/2009 09:28
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i think that people need to get a grip, that house is amazing i would love to live in that house. that guy is a legand for doing it, its a fantastic idea. i dont see why its a prolem to people its not doing anyone any horm what so ever its just jealousy. why can't he live in the casle happy with his family.

- Nick Barratt, preston england, 13/11/2008 21:05
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All I can say is if I build a house...sorry a castle like that they better bring the army to tear it down because I would fight to the death to protect it! I would use everything in my power and die trying to keep that magnificent beauty up...

- Drew Alexander Pollock, Edmonton Canada, 22/10/2008 03:21
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The law does NOT say the building must be visible, the council have dreamt up those words. I say, if they go to court and Mr. Fidler loses, he loses a lot, but if the decision goes the other way, then the councillors involved should also lose, they should pay the costs out of their own money, instead of expecting council tax-payers to foot the bill for their sour grapes.

- Colin Withers, Darmstadt ,Germany, 09/08/2008 20:24
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I'd be interested in the exact wording of the law that supports the council's decision?

- Terry, Bridgnorth, UK, 15/05/2008 18:06
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Excuse me but when did we all agree to government bodies dictating what, when and where you can build? Where and when did this permission become law? Is it a valid law? And why do we go all go along with it? When houses and castles were built in the 15th century, did they have permission? It's just another silly law we all go along with without questioning every day. I'd build an entire city if it would be classed free from any government intervention, taxes, big brother surveillance and control.

- Phil, London, England, 02/05/2008 21:55
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This man built a beautiful house entirely within the law - definitely not the spirit of the law, but he obeyed the letter of it - and now they are trying to change the law so they can tear it down. I don't know about English law, but in America ex post facto punishments are illegal, as they should be everywhere simply out of fairness. Let him keep his castle!

- Jesse, Milwaukee, USA, 29/04/2008 06:11
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Well done it looks fabulous. Just goes to show councils can do what they want if you pledge money to the council they will turn a blind eye.... they do at Chester-le-street and Sunderland council

- Perry, Durham, 11/04/2008 16:13
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The area is hardly green belt, take a look with Google Earth.
Mr Fidler has built his dream within the law, has he not?
What if he did hide the construction, I doubt that the law that he complied with stated that you can build what you like providing you don`t hide it. Isn`t it amazing that no one complains about a straw eye sore but get the jealous head out when a wonderful structure appears.

- Peter, Sussex UK, 10/04/2008 22:36
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Mr Fidler used the loop in the law to construct his home in good faith. For the Council to tighten the loop by adding that the house has to be visible for four years is putting words into the law that were not there. By all means tighten the loop to prevent others following his example but don't destroy this man by forcing him to tear down this beautiful home. Surely this will be a glorious example of English eccentricity for generations to come.

- Caroline Phillips, Minehead. England, 10/04/2008 22:15
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I saw this reported on the T.V. He deserves to keep it as is. I mean look at the strokes the councils pull, when they want to build anywhere. The woman from the council was just behaving like a sore loser which is exactly what they are,losers
It's coming to something,in this country has to resort to such measures in the first place. The council should back off.

- Jeff Noble, Wakefield,West Yorkshire, 19/03/2008 23:34
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Surely questions were being asked when the cannon's and knights started rolling up.

- Mike, Birmingham, UK, 26/02/2008 17:56
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Funny how the council can build where they like without permission - especially on green belt - just to get their quota's in.

- Minime, South East England, 25/01/2008 16:10
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Neighbours jealous I say

- Rogue, England, 25/01/2008 16:07
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The point is, Mr Fidler has chosen to build on Green Belt land - land which is under enough pressure as it is in Surrey. It may be the thin end, but I can definitely see the wedge. Right or wrong, quaint castle or not, there's a planning process that we all have to go through.

- Bunny, Salfords, UK, 25/01/2008 16:04
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It'd be of interest to know exactly why this structure was not approved to be built in the first place, i.e., how does it violate existing codes. Anyone know?

- D.Shay, USA, 25/01/2008 15:57
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A wonderful house, I love the style and the bravado in building it. I hope that the council sees sense and grants the legal consent required.

- Graham, Reading, England, 25/01/2008 15:55
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So let me see if I have this straight. The neighbors and the government planners have no problems with bales of hay and blue tarps.

But their noses are tweaked out of joint by a house.

Why not just collect all the permit fees and taxes you normally could have, inspect the place to make sure it safe, and laugh all the way to the bank?

It's a nice looking house compared to some others I've seen...

- Wayne, Reno, Nevada, USA, 25/01/2008 15:39
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He should be able to keep his castle. I mean the man built a castle. How many people can say they've done that?

- Tim, St. Paul, MN U.S.A., 25/01/2008 15:31
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Seriously we need to stop making it so hard for people to build homes. Council members are power hungry and look for any reason to assert their power. Let these people build their home and live in it, this isn't the USSR in the eighties. What I am upset about is how did he manage to build this home for fifty thousand pounds? How did he manage to do it that cheaply? This home is nice, I like it, but I understand that it is not to everyone's taste, but I don't like what a lot of people choose to wear, we don't force these people to change outfits. Let this family live in the home they want, I would like the freedom to live in the home I want and others should have that right too.

- Chris, Lincoln, England, 25/01/2008 15:11
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His property he should be able build what he pleases. I like it!

- Mike, Stoughton, ma, usa, 25/01/2008 14:39
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It is unfortunate that a community could be so structured that someone would feel they have to build a home and HIDE it for 4 years in order to have the approval necessary to KEEP the home.

It's not like it is a covenant and he is choosing to leave his garage open or paint his house bright orange. It is a beautiful CASTLE! Gorgeous even. Leave the family alone already.

- Chelle', USA, 25/01/2008 14:30
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Surely it should be torn down on the grounds of bad taste alone!

- Mn, London, 25/01/2008 12:50
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Suppose they could put the straw bales back up!

- Tony, London, 25/01/2008 12:45
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Let the poor guy keep his house. He deserves it after going to such extreme lengths to realise his dream. Good luck to you mate!

- Jay, London, 25/01/2008 11:05
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"To me they are no different than vandals who just want to smash it down."
And to them, you are undoubtedly a fraudster who believes he doesn't have to follow the same rules and regulations as every other citizen of this country. The sooner it comes down the better.

- Nick Defarmer, London, 25/01/2008 09:55
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Robert "Fidler"? You couldn't make it up!

- Roger, London, 25/01/2008 08:25
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