Owner refuses to pull barn down

The barn is still under construction

The owner of a £200,000 barn in a Leicestershire village has been told to pull it down by the local council.

Charnwood Borough Council said it did not believe the building, still under construction in Swithland, would be used for agricultural purposes.

It said planning rules had been broken and have given the owner Charles White four months to comply with the demolition order.

But he has said he is considering an appeal against the decision.

Mr White said the building would be used as a barn to store agricultural machinery and materials.

His solicitor told the BBC that as far as he was concerned, the council was aware of what was going to be put up and had given the go-ahead.

Charnwood Borough Council said Mr White had four months from 18 December to comply with the demolition order.

In statement, it said: "The council does not accept that the barn is reasonably required for agriculture by virtue of its scale and design and is therefore unauthorised.

"An enforcement notice was served that requires demolition of the structure."

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The building at Swithland, Leicestershire is estimated to be worth £200,000