Coincidence or trend?

There have been two dwellings recently, concealed until their completion - one in a barn, and the other behind straw bales .....

 

There has been coverage in the local press about two new dwellings which have suddenly appeared in the Surrey countryside. One was located in Mole Valley and its construction was concealed in a barn. The second relates to a large house, resembling a castle, built behind straw bales, in Reigate & Banstead without planning permission.

 

It appears that the Mole Valley dwelling will have to be demolished but the results of a public inquiry into the second are awaited. Clearly efforts have been made to avoid complying with the strict planning policies relating to development in the Green Belt. There is a danger that should Reigate & Banstead Borough Council be unsuccessful, other landowners will try a similar scam. The conversion of stables into a dwelling is another way in which law-infringing landowners have already attempted to avoid the planning system.

 

Enforcement officers in most Surrey local authorities are already overstretched so the prospect of their having to monitor barns, stables and straw bales across the county on top of their normal workload is daunting. Please keep your eyes open and report any signs of new dwellings, whether cottages or castles, appearing in unlikely places!