This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7715908.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Map clue leads to concealed house Map clue leads to concealed house
(about 4 hours later)
An illegally-built house which was hidden inside a barn to avoid planning rules has been demolished.An illegally-built house which was hidden inside a barn to avoid planning rules has been demolished.
Officials found an occupied two-storey stone house with a lounge, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom behind a façade of corrugated iron and wood. Officials found an occupied two-storey stone house with a lounge, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom behind a facade of corrugated iron and wood.
They were tipped off when they were anonymously sent a map which showed the area near Whatstandwell in Derbyshire arrowed and marked "House in Barn!"They were tipped off when they were anonymously sent a map which showed the area near Whatstandwell in Derbyshire arrowed and marked "House in Barn!"
The owner had been served with a notice to remove the building by Monday.The owner had been served with a notice to remove the building by Monday.
Court actionCourt action
It is not known when the house on Longway Bank near Whatstandwell was built but the tip-off was received about a year ago. It is believed the house on Longway Bank near Whatstandwell was built four years ago, but the tip-off was received about a year ago.
The owner Mark Renshaw, who runs an animal sanctuary on the property, was fined £500 for not complying with a demolition order before tearing the building down, the council said.
Planning officers from Derbyshire Dales District Council said they hoped their action sent out a message that breaches of planning laws would be dealt with.Planning officers from Derbyshire Dales District Council said they hoped their action sent out a message that breaches of planning laws would be dealt with.
The council's head of planning services Paul Wilson added: "We suspect the owner of this property intended to occupy his house inside the barn for four years and then remove the shield thinking he had successfully side-stepped the need for planning permission.The council's head of planning services Paul Wilson added: "We suspect the owner of this property intended to occupy his house inside the barn for four years and then remove the shield thinking he had successfully side-stepped the need for planning permission.
"Unfortunately for him, this would not have been the case, as the High Court has recently ruled that the four-year period for planning exemption only starts when any shielding construction has been removed.""Unfortunately for him, this would not have been the case, as the High Court has recently ruled that the four-year period for planning exemption only starts when any shielding construction has been removed."
The owner of the house declined to comment. Mr Renshaw and his partner declined to comment.
Advertisement
Planning officers were sent an anonymous tip-off