A couple who built an illegal log cabin in the South Downs National Park could face prison if they do not tear it down within a week.
A £45,000 off-the-grid structure was demolished by Andrew and Debbie Melbourne in June after they were handed a £3,500 fine.
At the time, they were also handed a 56-day notice to completely remove it at risk of a custodial sentence.
Now, more than two months later, their building site remains on a hillside near Waterlooville, Hants, on the edge of the national park.
The couple have been to tear down the cabin and return the land to its former beauty
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EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Locals who cherish the beauty of the area have called it an “eyesore”, a “carbuncle” and a “scar on the landscape”.
A bright blue tarpaulin remains spread over the ground next to timber planks and plastic containers.
Visitors to this part of the South Downs National Parks are told they are “trespassing” on private land, and that they are being filmed by “CCTV” cameras.
But the couple claim they “did not know” it was illegal to build on the plot which they bought near the village of Catherington for about £20,000.
It is believed they then bought a £25,000 German-made prefabricated log cabin to use.
The half-acre plot sits on a field which has “Article 4 status” which means any kind of work requires planning permission.
MORE PLANNING ROWS:
The South Downs National Park is known for its picturesque rolling hills and residents say the log cabin has ruined the scenery (file photo)
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GETTY
Local residents say they warned the Melbournes that they could not build there, but were ignored.
One neighbour told the Daily Mail: “Dozens of people went up to the site and warned them that they couldn’t build there, that it was part of the National Park, but they ploughed on regardless.”
When approached by the Daily Mail, Mr Melbourne did not want to discuss the cabin or its removal.
He said: “The cabin has been removed. I’m not going to say any more because you did not put us in good favour last time.
“I’ve been quite ill actually. We’ve spoken to the council.”
East Hampshire District Council obtained a court order in June which required the Melbournes to remove the cabin and restore the area to its original state.
It warned that “failure to comply” would lead to “enforcement proceedings in the High Court, if breached, can lead to costly legal fees and even a custodial sentence”.
The council revealed this week the couple had been given a further 28-day notice with a deadline on September 5.
A spokesman for the authority added: “In our view and the view of local residents the construction of this cabin and the damage to the site caused significant harm to his part of the South Downs National Park.
“It is clear some progress has been made to remove the structure, and we have given the landowners a 28-day notice to completely return the site to its original condition.”
A spokesman for the South Downs National Park Authority said: “This is a serious breach of planning in this protected National Park landscape that has been designated for its natural beauty.
“Such breaches will no be tolerated, and robust enforcement action is being taken to ensure the land is returned to its original condition.”