A FARMER has hit back at a “harsh” council which slapped him with a £45,000 fine for knocking down a building on his own land.
Philip Gore, 49, razed a listed 17th century dovecote next to his Shropshire farmhouse after it was damaged by storms.
When he put in a planning application for a grain store on the site, he was arrested for wrecking a protected building.
The 25ft by 10ft dovecote had once been used by farmers to house pigeons fattening for their tables – and was listed in 1986.
But Philip claimed he never knew the historic farm building was protected.
The farmer has now been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay another £15,000 towards council costs – plus a £190 victim surcharge.
He said: “It was almost falling down and all things considered, it does seem a bit harsh.
“No-one has ever been to look at it that I know of and I have lived there my whole life.
“But then again I would have probably had to pay out a lot of money to repair it – so there is that.
“We will just have to find the money somehow.”
Philip’s partner added: “There’s nothing we can do. We just have to move on.
“This is a beautiful spot but no-one would ever know you were here.”
But Shropshire Council said the dovecote was the last building left from an ancient moated farm on the site.
Council planning chief Chris Schofield blasted Philip’s decision to knock down the dovecote.
He said: “This was one of the worst examples of deliberate damage and destruction to a listed building seen in the county in decades.”
Philip’s farm boasts stunning views of the Welsh borders and is reached via a single track running through a stream.
The dovecote was one of 7,500 listed buildings in Shropshire whose owners are required to “undertake routine repairs and maintenance”.
A council spokesman said “The listed buildings form a vital part of Shropshire’s heritage and a vital part of its unique appeal.
“They help to make it such and attractive place for so many people.
“Anyone thinking of undertaking any works to a listed building is advised to first talk to Shropshire Council’s planning team.”
A DOVECOTE is a building used to house pigeons or doves as farm animals.
Until the 17th century, only aristocrats enjoyed the right to keep doves for food.
Many lords built dovecotes near roads or gates so passing locals would twig they had a posh neighbour.
Toffs living in the time of Shakespeare fattened doves and pigeons for Sunday roasts – and used their feathers to stuff pillows.
The knee-deep layer of manure left at the bottom of dovecote would be used to grow vegetables.
Here is the National Trust’s list of historic dovecotes you can visit:
