Couple lose fight to save 'hobbit house' eco-home from demolition

[herzmeister]

Couple lose fight to save 'hobbit house' eco-home from demolition
The turf-roofed straw and wood roundhouse in north Pembrokeshire was built on private land by Charlie Hague and Megan Williams


The 'hobbit house' in north Pembrokeshire will now have to be demolished

The owners of an eco-friendly 'hobbit house' that was built without planning permission in have lost their appeal to keep their home.

The turf-roofed straw and wood roundhouse in Glandwr, north Pembrokeshire, which has won praise from many in the community, contravened planning policy for the open countryside.

This week Planning Inspector Iwan Lloyd upheld a decision by Pembrokeshire Council to issue an enforcement notice against the home at Glandwr.

The appeal by Megan Williams was dismissed because the 'benefits of the development did not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the countryside'.

Mr Lloyd upheld the enforcement notice, which required that the roundhouse and all associated work, including the timber decking, be demolished and the land returned to its previous condition within two months.

Charlie Hague and Megan Williams, both 25, built their eco-home on private land with help from family and friends.

But the couple failed to seek the necessary planning consent and battled to save their home from demolition.

[...]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/couple-lose-fight-save-hobbit-5395091

[Van3cespencer7]

Sad day when you lose your home.

Why do people feel the need to control others life's? Let them live there if they feel like it. It's private land so gtfo.

[Mitchell]

did not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the countryside'.

That is bullshit. I think it makes the appearance of the countryside a lot better.

[herzmeister]

exactly...

exactly...

[Lethn]

This is the bullshit you have to put up with on a daily basis in the UK, one of the other building annoyances we have are these stupid conservationists who insist on preserving every old building out there even though it would in some cases literally cost millions to restore, the only logic behind planning permission I can understand is making it structurally sound, anything else just seems to be meaningless meddling to the cost of other people.

This is the UK when it comes to bureaucracy:



and yes, that sort of thing actually happens here and is real.

[tinus42]

Sad day when you lose your home.

Why do people feel the need to control others life's? Let them live there if they feel like it. It's private land so gtfo.

Because there are people who seek pleasure in making other people's live miserable and bettering their own lives at the same time (especially financially-wise). They are collectively known as the government.

[elasticband]

or things like this - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/double-yellow-lines-painted-in-narrow-alleyway-swindon--103335104.html#feLhapH

[tinus42]

or things like this - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/double-yellow-lines-painted-in-narrow-alleyway-swindon--103335104.html#feLhapH

Probably the head of the company that painted the double lines is friends with the high level bureaucrat who signed off the order. As is the head of the demolition company that demolishes the house in the OP. The bureaucrats get nice perks and kickbacks in return.

[jago25_98]

You all missed the house in the background overlooking it and went along with the article. Shame on all of you.

Still crap though.

[manfred]

The power of money. I bet u if a large multinational company would like to erect a large ugly industrial steel shed on the side it would be ok.
The inspector and council guys are just jealous that they cant live in this inspiring wonderful house, good chance the parents live in the house in the background.
The sooner goovments disappear the better. In a free country this would not happen.

[Gabi]

Wtf? In Italy an abusive monstruosity was demolished once because totally abusive, in a natural reserve, and europe fined us. While in uk they can? meh

[SgtSpike]

I don't know... to me, it sounds like there were existing rules in place, the builders failed to check if their plan complied with these existing rules, and they are ordered to tear down their building because they did not follow these existing rules.

Maybe the existing rules need to be changed (ok, YES they do), but they shouldn't have built something that doesn't comply with them in the first place.

[tinus42]

Wtf? In Italy an abusive monstruosity was demolished once because totally abusive, in a natural reserve, and europe fined us. While in uk they can? meh

The EU serves the multinational corporations. Like banning lightbulbs because it's profitable for Philips, who cares about the environment, it's corporate profits that matter. Of course they fine countries that affront their masters.

[manfred]

I don't know... to me, it sounds like there were existing rules in place, the builders failed to check if their plan complied with these existing rules, and they are ordered to tear down their building because they did not follow these existing rules.

Maybe the existing rules need to be changed (ok, YES they do), but they shouldn't have built something that doesn't comply with them in the first place.

Yes, you can rest assured that there is no shortage of rules and laws in place. Dont break any or you may get fined.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (such as a pub or bar).
It is illegal to eat mince pies on December 25.
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
It is illegal to go within 100 yards of the queen when not wearing hose, socks or stockings.
It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.
It is illegal to stop and collect an animal you have hit with your car, however the person behind you can.
It is legal for a male to urinate in public, as long it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is on the vehicle.
A bed may not be hung out of a window.
With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on a Sunday.
Women are permitted to go topless in Liverpool provided they work as a clerk in a shop selling tropical fish.
Placing a postage stamp that bears the Queen (or King) upside down is considered treason.
Any whale washed up on the shore is the property of the Queen, so she can use its bones for her corset.
A pregnant woman may relieve herself anywhere she likes, including (if she requests) in a policeman’s helmet.
Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).
It is lawful to kill a Scotsman in York if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Hereford you can shoot a Welsh person on a Sunday, with a longbow, in the Cathedral Close.
You can shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow in Chester, inside the city walls and after midnight.

An English inspector may order a Welsh person to tear down his house if he desires to do so. (Not a law yet )

[HereToTrade]

The power of money. I bet u if a large multinational company would like to erect a large ugly industrial steel shed on the side it would be ok.
The inspector and council guys are just jealous that they cant live in this inspiring wonderful house, good chance the parents live in the house in the background.
The sooner goovments disappear the better. In a free country this would not happen.

You read my mind

[HereToTrade]

I don't know... to me, it sounds like there were existing rules in place, the builders failed to check if their plan complied with these existing rules, and they are ordered to tear down their building because they did not follow these existing rules.

Maybe the existing rules need to be changed (ok, YES they do), but they shouldn't have built something that doesn't comply with them in the first place.

Of course these rules need to be changed. Why is it the governments business what you do on your own property. And if you want to build something (on your own property) you need to ask them for permission, that is completely insane.

[HereToTrade]

I don't know... to me, it sounds like there were existing rules in place, the builders failed to check if their plan complied with these existing rules, and they are ordered to tear down their building because they did not follow these existing rules.

Maybe the existing rules need to be changed (ok, YES they do), but they shouldn't have built something that doesn't comply with them in the first place.

Yes, you can rest assured that there is no shortage of rules and laws in place. Dont break any or you may get fined.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (such as a pub or bar).
It is illegal to eat mince pies on December 25.
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
It is illegal to go within 100 yards of the queen when not wearing hose, socks or stockings.
It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.
It is illegal to stop and collect an animal you have hit with your car, however the person behind you can.
It is legal for a male to urinate in public, as long it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is on the vehicle.
A bed may not be hung out of a window.
With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on a Sunday.
Women are permitted to go topless in Liverpool provided they work as a clerk in a shop selling tropical fish.
Placing a postage stamp that bears the Queen (or King) upside down is considered treason.
Any whale washed up on the shore is the property of the Queen, so she can use its bones for her corset.
A pregnant woman may relieve herself anywhere she likes, including (if she requests) in a policeman’s helmet.
Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).
It is lawful to kill a Scotsman in York if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Hereford you can shoot a Welsh person on a Sunday, with a longbow, in the Cathedral Close.
You can shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow in Chester, inside the city walls and after midnight.

An English inspector may order a Welsh person to tear down his house if he desires to do so. (Not a law yet )

You are joking, right?

[manfred]

No, except the last line.

[ElectricMucus]

Care to file a complaint?
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[Fellow]

Shame they lost their eco-home , reminds me of something out of the shire.