'Hermit' loses hut legal battle

Mr Grendon has lived in the den for more than 10 years

A man living in a woodland shelter has been asked to leave, after a High Court judge ruled his home was not a "dwelling house" according to law.

Stephen Grendon has lived in the den on Brimpsfield Common in the Cotswolds for more than 10 years and fought to get the structure classed as a dwelling.

He was served an enforcement notice in 2004, and then unsuccessfully applied for a certificate of lawful use.

The stone-built home is named Hermit's Corner and measures 4.25m by 5.8m.

Cotswold District Council has now written to Mr Grendon's lawyers, who plan to submit a planning application on the structure.

A spokesman said: "If a planning application is submitted, it will be dealt with through the usual planning process."