A farmer, who is facing jail for contempt of court after refusing to tear down the mock Tudor castle he built without planning permission, has told a judge that the local authority that objects to it is trying to destroy his life.
Robert Fidler built his home in Salfords, Surrey, more than a decade ago and hid it behind straw bales for years in a bid to gain immunity from planning control.
But, after his breach of planning consent was discovered, Reigate and Banstead borough council made enforcement notices demanding that the house be knocked down.
A planning inspector rejected Fidler’s appeal, and the decision was backed by the High Court in 2010 and the Court of Appeal.
Deputy High Court judge Sir Thayne Forbes said that the straw bales “were intended to deceive the local planning authority and to achieve by deception lawful status for a dwelling built in breach of planning control”.
The council later secured an injunction against Fidler requiring compliance with the notice and demolition. It issued contempt of court proceedings against him, which could result in a prison sentence.
But at a hearing, Fidler applied for the injunction to be varied or suspended, telling Dove J that the council’s case was based on “lies and deception”.
In court submissions in which he addressed the council’s major development manager, Andrew Benson, Fidler said: “The house is beautiful, it’s perfect, but you are so determined to get your way and destroy my life.”
The matter will return to court next week for further evidence.
