"Hobbit House" built of natural materials must be demolished (alternatives, color)

[no kudzu]

Such a shame officials cannot see past Rules to make an exception for this unique house and enterprising and conscientious couple.

Charlie Hague and Megan Williams told to pull down their 'hobbit home' made entirely out of natural materials | Mail Online

[Hopes]

That's a shame the government can only see black and white. While I understand they don't want to set a precedent that causes people to think they can build anything they want, there are alternatives to tearing down the structure, such as heavy fines and requiring changes to be made to specific things that don't meet code.

Our township allows people the opportunity to have their issue determined by neighbors. For example, our neighbor built a deck without a permit. Instead of requiring him to tear it down, he was instructed to apply for a permit and a hearing would be scheduled. Notices were sent to all neighbors informing them they had an opportunity to object to the structure. No neighbors did. All neighbors signed a petition supporting the structure and some showed up to the hearing to support the neighbor. He was fined and had to pay for a permit after-the-fact, but he got to keep his deck.

[harry chickpea]

We went over this in a different forum. It is not a shame. They intentionally built in an area where such building was not allowed, and hoped to get away with it. Color them stupid. Build an auto-park in the middle of a residential neighborhood and you'll also get told to tear it down. There ARE places where such structures can be built legally. I could do so here. I looked into property rights before buying.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by Hopes

That's a shame the government can only see black and white...

I "see" no shame at all. That why we have laws and codes- so there is no GRAY areas.

[Hopes]

If the house would have been permitted to be built with a permit, it's silly to make them tear it down simply because they didn't obtain a permit. That's the reason the article provided for why they are being told to tear it down. Let them pay for the permit, the inspection and make any changes required. It's simple. That's how it has been handled where I live for many people I know.

[MrWillys]

I thought they passed a special law for Eustace Conway of Mountain Men who was in a similar situation. Maybe this should be considered here?

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Hopes

If the house would have been permitted to be built with a permit, it's silly to make them tear it down simply because they didn't obtain a permit. That's the reason the article provided for why they are being told to tear it down. Let them pay for the permit, the inspection and make any changes required. It's simple. That's how it has been handled where I live for many people I know.

The problem is that permit will be denied if the law is followed. As Harry mentioned this was in another forum, as I recall the local regulations dictate how the house must look which is what the issue is. There is similar laws here in the US in many places in particular old neighborhoods. If you're going to build a new home or renovate an old one it has to match the older looking houses so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

That's a cool house that I would love to live in and it's shame it will be torn down but the law is the law, you can't make exceptions based on the the cool factor.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

That's a cool house that I would love to live in and it's shame it will be torn down but the law is the law, you can't make exceptions based on the the cool factor.

The law could be changed for this house.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Hopes

The law could be changed for this house.

If you're going to change the law it needs to be changed for everyone, not just a single house.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

If you're going to change the law it needs to be changed for everyone, not just a single house.

That works too!