A young couple have been left heartbroken after planners ordered their unique 'hobbit home' to be bulldozed, effectively leaving them homeless.
Charlie Hague and Megan Williams, both 25, built the roundhouse from scratch with their own hands, using only natural materials.
But the couple lost their appeal today against a planning enforcement notice telling them to tear their pride and joy home down.
The order gives the couple two months to return the land to its previous condition.
Mr Lloyd’s report stated: 'The character and appearance of the countryside should be protected for its intrinsic sake.
'The benefits of a low-impact development do not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the countryside.'
Friends said the couple were half expecting their appeal to be turned down but were still 'devastated' by the decision.
Charlie and Megan, who have a one-year-old son Eli, built the house on private land in Glandwr, North Pembrokeshire, last summer.
Locals nicknamed it the hobbit home, although most people did not even know it was there because it is so secluded.
But Pembrokeshire County Council ordered the couple to demolish their home because it was built without planning permission.
Charlie and Megan, who live a self-sufficient lifestyle, fought the decision claiming it had a low impact on the environment because of its unique construction.
Charlie, a sculptor and woodworker, said: 'We built this house to provide our son with a healthy environment to grow up in.
'We were born in the area, went to school here, and have lived here all our lives. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.'
The pair acknowledged their property was built without prior consent but said there was no other way for them to afford their own home.
Megan said: 'I know it’s not a possibility for everyone, and our situation here is unique, but if young people are to live and work in the area they need somewhere to live.'
Darkness falls: The lights will go out on the couple's home for good unless they can overturn the Planning Inspectorate's decision
2 comments:
Oh this is difficult for sure. Rules in society are not always favorable but they are there for all to follow. At the same time, government local or federal doesn't seem to do a very good job at their jobs so they no choice for others to take into their own hands to find solutions that work. I say leave the house and let them live in peace so long as they respect the land. I feel for them. Hugs. Tammy
It's a real toughy indeed Tammy but my thinking is that if they get to do one then many more will follow suit. I feel very vexed for them though, for they have done a wonderful job on the house. I am sure that if it had not been shown so publicly it might have slipped the councils notice for awhile.
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