A man who managed to build a castle behind a haystack could face having it demolished. Robert Fidler built the castle over the course of two years but kept it concealed behind a 40 foot stack of hay bales. He then lived there for four years before revealing the castle in August of last year. He claims that because the castle has been there for four years with no objections that it is no longer illegal. However, the council planners say that the law does not apply in this case because no one has had the chance to see it.
By building this beautiful building under the noses of the public and especially the building and zoning commissions, Mr. Fidler usurped their power. Most people in those positions thrive on the little bit of power they derive from those lowly public offices. Now it is a matter of flexing their power even if it makes them look stupid. The point will be "I am a small person but I am in charge! Roar!" Hopefully the town fathers will see this for the tourism opportunity it could be, instead of the narrow power struggle it has become. You know if the public didn’t complain about those ugly bails stacked up then why should they mind the wildly beautiful castle that now adorns their neighborhood.