A British farmer has begun dismantling a mock castle built unlawfully on his land, after a Judge gave him an ultimatum between demolition and a prison sentence.
The mock castle, which was designed to resemble a Tudor fortress, was the subject of a longstanding legal battle which ended with a Judge ordering Mr Robet Fidler, 67, Surrey, to demolish the structure completely by 6 June 2016.
The hidden fortress was first discovered in 2006, when Mr Fidler removed hay bales covering the castle and was issued a series of enforcement notices by his local authority.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council launched legal proceedings against Mr Fidler.
A Judge found the farmer in contempt of Court for failing to comply with court orders to demolish the property on November 9 2015.
Mr Justice Dove issued the farmer with a three-month prison sentence, which was subsequently suspended providing Mr Fidler ensured that the property was completely demolished by June 6.
Following the farmer’s judgement, a Reigate and Banstead Borough Council spokeswoman said: “This is a situation of Mr Fidler’s own making. He has had plenty of opportunity to comply with the outstanding enforcement notices.
“He previously admitted that he deliberately set out to circumvent planning rules. Also, he had another house on the site when he began building this new one.
“Local residents expect us to protect their countryside. The pleasant environment is one of the reasons they love living here.
“If we fail to act, it would give others free reign to build dwellings in the Green Belt without fear of recrimination.”