'illegal' mock-Tudor castle he tried to hide behind 40ft hay bales

Dinah93

Its a huge gamble and chasing it through the high courts if it gets that way will cost an absolute fortune. If there was any chance of it getting it, it is likely the current owners would have done it.

RDB

Dinah93 wrote: »

Its a huge gamble and chasing it through the high courts if it gets that way will cost an absolute fortune. If there was any chance of it getting it, it is likely the current owners would have done it.

Thanks Dinah

Very useful info on http://www.dcp-online.co.uk/DCP/

Its not a huge gamble if I pay a fair price for just the land. A small chance of being able to live there for 4 years Im saving money on rent anyway. If I can go 4 years without any problems then the chance to be able to get lawful development is very attractive. It may not work but Im going to try anyway.

To recap (any problems I havent thought of) its a very old house in the country that has been empty for years. Someone bought it did it up really nice without permission then got found out they were living there and told they werent allowed to. Now all the windows are borded up and it didnt even reach its reserve in the auction. I have put a really low offer in and its looking good so far.

As soon as/If I get it I want to get my solicitor to confirm Im living there and again do it every year for 4 years. I will keep a low profile even keep the windows borded up, know one will ever know Im living there. I will also use the land for a few ideas. If anyone asks its my land and I go there often for my projects.

I can get bank statements etc and other post delivered there.

Any suggestions how to be more successful than Mr Fidler and his Tudor Castle?

Dinah93

Utility bills and council tax are usually seen as essentials to show continuous habitation. Anyone can say they live in a boarded up building, but energy usage will give a clear indication if they are actually doing so. Have you seen the planning permission refusal, what specifically was applied for and was refused?

RDB

Dinah93 wrote: »

Its a huge gamble and chasing it through the high courts if it gets that way will cost an absolute fortune. If there was any chance of it getting it, it is likely the current owners would have done it.

The current owners are the bank, because its a foreclosed repossession now. The last owner spent a lot of money the house and its a really great place, but just no planning to live there thats all.

Dinah93 wrote: »

Utility bills and council tax are usually seen as essentials to show continuous habitation. Anyone can say they live in a boarded up building, but energy usage will give a clear indication if they are actually doing so. Have you seen the planning permission refusal, what specifically was applied for and was refused?

Thanks yeah we are looking into it.

I think many have looked into getting planning when they see how cheap it is per acre but given up when they find out about it.

So I think 4 years lawful development is the way to go.

Its going to be a completely green house in the respect that its not going to be conected to the mains at all. There is a bore hole already dug and power will be from renewable sources. Also a generator that will run on home made bio fuel. So no utility bills as such, but pleanty of other proof that we will be living there.

I still have a lot to learn though, its a fasinating business the more I research.

novazombie

Is the Tudor Castle still standing? Has he got away with it then?

Can anyone say if he ever paid council tax? Or does he now?

How could he start paying it when he first moved in if he doesnt want the council to know its there?

mynameisdave

Its still standing but what I can gather from the thread is that he is still a long way from getting away with it.

Dinah93

Was at a bbq last night populated entirely by planners (aren't you sorry you missed it?!) and this came up. Apparently it's still in the legal process as he has taken the appeal the next stage, which is why no action has been taken to demolish at present.

guppy

novazombie wrote: »

Is the Tudor Castle still standing? Has he got away with it then?

Can anyone say if he ever paid council tax? Or does he now?

How could he start paying it when he first moved in if he doesnt want the council to know its there?

He is currently appealing to the High Court - swears he will go to the House of Lords if necessary, "until someone sees sense". Personally, I look forward to seeing it torn down!

I very much doubt he was paying Council Tax if the council were unaware of it, but they can backdate it once it came to their knowledge.

Some people seem to think he is just an eccentric, but given he has built two houses, a marquee, a racetrack and allowed various industrial uses without planning permission I think he rather enjoys playing the system.

More here:

http://www.redhillandreigatelife.co.uk/news/1989097.illegallybuilt_house_hidden_in_haystack_inquiry_told/

BitterAndTwisted

I think he's what could politely be called a "maverick", that is, like the French (allegedly) he agrees with laws and statutes but thinks they should not apply to himself

SilverStandard

You could call him smart it seems he has got away with it.