An American businesswoman who built a £200,000 eco-home in the Scottish Highlands has been ordered to tear it down after breaching strict planning controls.
Eve Wilder of Oregon built the wooden house on the banks in Loch Migdale before selling it.
The one-bedroom Eco-Home is described as the ideal Highland escape. It was constructed to the highest standard and all materials were non-toxic according to the brochure.
However Highland Council have now ordered Ms Wilder to have the building demolished within four months after the ‘unauthorised development was carried out without the knowledge or permission of the local planning authority’.
The £200,000 eco-home (exterior pictured) was constructed on the banks of Loch Migdale in Sutherland, Scotland
Eve Wilder (Oregon) is now required to destroy the site in four months. Image: Interior of property
They also claimed that development could affect the scenic beauty of Dornoch Firth.
One spokesperson from the council stated: “This was an unauthorised subdivision that took place without the permission or knowledge from the local planning authority.
“The Planning Authority believes that the unauthorised building was built while the appellant was in America. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the development will be removed. There are no guarantees that appellant will ever return to the UK. The unauthorised construction would therefore remain in place for an indeterminate period.
“The planning authority is keen to get this matter resolved. They would welcome the appellant to provide a detailed plan detailing the work and timeframe for the demolition of the development, as required by an enforcement notice.
Initially, Ms Wilder was told that she had to demolish the property with three months. But after appealing to council officials, she now has four months.
According to the sales brochure, this eco-home has been described as an ideal Highland retreat and is made from non-toxic materials.
The council said the development affects the natural scenic beauty of the Dornoch Firth and construction was ‘carried out without the knowledge or permission of the local planning authority’
In the Scottish Highlands, the property with one bedroom will need to be removed within 4 months
Elle also stated that the problem could be addressed by changing plans and obtaining retrospective permission to build the house.
The appeal was made on behalf of her.
“In this context, the site could be altered in design terms to conform to the policy design requirements by the planning authority. This could lead to such matters potentially being resolved via a retrospective planning request as opposed to serving notices requiring total demolition.
“Given appellant’s residency, it is unlikely that appellant will comply within three months and fall short of what is reasonable.”
“The appellant suggests that six months would be more suitable, given the logistical challenges of managing and instructing such operations at distance.
Steve Field, Government reporter said that he upholds the enforcement notice and allows the appeal in the event that the terms are modified by changing the compliance period to four months.
“I’ve considered every other matter raised, but none of them would change my conclusion.”