A PICKWORTH man must demolish a ‘barn’ in the middle of the countryside because it looks like a house.
Alastair Taylor, of Folkingham Road, applied for planning permission in 2010 to build a barn with straw bale walls in Lenton Pastures, Pickworth.
But South Kesteven District Council took action against him in September last year when the partly-finished building looked like a house - complete with a front door and letter box.
Council inspectors who were responding to a complaint about the building, said the materials did not match, there were domestic features, and not enough room for a tractor.
They also argued that it was in an isolated rural location, which was contrary to key policies on sustainable development.
Mr Taylor appealed against the council action but it was dismissed by a planning inspectors on March 19, who said it was “best described as a dwelling house that is in the course of construction.”
Mr Taylor has three months to demolish the building.
Cabinet portfolio holder for economic development and planning, Coun Frances Cartwright said: “We are pleased that the planning inspector has upheld our enforcement action. It shows that contraventions of planning control will be enforced by this council and that we will act to ensure our planning policies are followed.”
Mr Taylor, who did not wish to comment, told inspectors it was not his intention to build a house. He argued the building represented a business venture.