Council demolishes dream house

There’s not much chance that the destruction of Peter Howell’s £400,000 dream house in scenic North Yorkshire was covered by his home insurance.

The trouble was, he had built it without planning permission, and it was the council that ordered it to be knocked down.

Although Mr Howell did have outline permission, he began building his five-bedroomed ideal home in Ingleby Arncliffe before detailed consent was granted.

So the house - "dominant and visually intrusive by virtue of its height, bulk and colour and not in keeping with the general character", according to the council - had to go.

Says an aggrieved Mr Howell: "It’s a terrible shame that a perfectly good house is being torn down just so the council can prove it can be."

But says planning chief Maurice Cann: "We hope this sends out a clear message to all developers - we will take the necessary action when properties are built without permission."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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