From the Front Line

Why do people go to such great lengths, and risk such great financial calamity, to try and subvert the planning system?

The news has been full of stories recently - here's the latest example - of self-builders who seem to hit upon the bright idea of not bothering to get planning permission, build a new house anyway, and figure that 'hiding' the whole thing, usually behind straw bales or basic tarpaulin, is the most sensible course of events.

The whole premise is based on the idea that, under the so-called Four Year Rule, buildings that have been up, unopposed, for four years without any complaint can gain a Certificate of Lawful Use. It's an often misunderstood law that seems to sucker more and more people into doing something crazy like this. And the law seems to be turning more against people trying it than ever. The latest appeal court judgement seemed to be of the view that, as the removal of the deceptive straw bales was in fact a material part of the building itself, then the whole thing would have to come down.

In simpler terms, under the Four Year Rule you are not allowed to conceal the building itself.

I can't imagine anything worse than spending four years of sleepless nights waiting for your home - or, in this case, castle - to be uncovered. Only to uncover it, proudly claim amnesty under the Four Year Rule, only to be shot down in pieces.