Robert Fidler Hides Castle Behind Hay Bales

A Salfords farmer hid a small castle from building inspectors behind bales of hay for nearly seven years. Robert Fidler says be began secretly building his dream home in 2000 after council planners repeatedly turned down his requests to build a home on his farm in Salfords, Surrey.

Fidler built on the castle behind walls of hay in a bid to hide the structure from building inspectors. The 59-year-old said he hoped the house would be considered legal after it stood for at least 4 years.

Fidler finished the house in 2002 and moved in with his wife Linda and one of their six children, 7-year-old Harry.

After neighbors saw the castle they reported it to authorities who now insist the structure must be torn down. The castle is complete with ramparts, turrets and a cannon. Fidler was issued an enforcement notice in March of 2007.

He insists that his castle is legal as it had been “substantially completed” for at least four years. “I can’t believe they [the council] want to demolish this beautiful house. To me it is no different from vandals who just want to smash it down,” he said. “But I’m not worried because I don’t believe I’ve done anything wrong.”

Fidler appealed the enforcement notice and will battle the council in court.

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