The castle was built after applying for planning permission in 1998. According to Surrey farmer Robert Fidler, the council never responded to the planning permission request.

He went ahead with the construction and kept the building hidden for over four years in hopes that it would become legal using a little-known planning system law that allows buildings to be retrospectively certified as legal. 

The Certificate of Lawfulness legislation, known as the ‘four year rule’, requires that proof is shown that the property has, without a doubt, been in constant use for the preceding four years. However, there is no provision for a concealed property.

The man completely hid the Tudor-style castle using blue tarpaulin, tyres and stacks of hay bales from 2001 until 2005 when the council discovered the unauthorised construction and ordered its demolition, The Sun reports.

The farmer challenged the council due to them having ignored his planning permission request for over seven years citing that they are required to respond within eight weeks. He lost the case and has since demolished the castle after being warned he could face jail time.