The pensioner who has spent 14 YEARS defying council orders to demolish illegally built £500K home - as he wins another reprieve with court date delayed again

Published: 00:01, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 00:07, 25 June 2026 A pensioner who spent 14 years defying a council order to demolish his illegally built £500,000 home has won another reprieve after his court date has been delayed again.  Peter Dick, 77, built the red-brick chalet bungalow on greenbelt land he owns in West Parley, Dorset in 2010 - but did not secure planning permission from the council.  After unsuccessfully trying to win retrospective planning consent in October 2012, Mr Dick was ordered to demolish the property, called Longcroft, that December. However, he ignored the 2012 legal order and in 2013, appealed both the enforcement notice and retrospective planning application decision - both of which were dismissed. In 2019, Mr Dick ignored a second legal order and insisted the property should be protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.  He cited his right to a private life and a home under Article 8 of the ECHR, and believes his right not to be treated in an inhumane or degrading way under Article 3 supersedes planning laws.  Mr Dick was taken to court by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council in 2021 and found guilty of failing to tear down the illegally-built home. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs. Despite this, Mr Dick still did not demolish the home - and was brought back to court in 2023. He admitted to an additional breach of a council enforcement order, and was fined a further £7,500 and instructed to pay costs of £3,269.  Peter Dick has spent 14 years defying a council order to demolish his illegally-built £500,000 home  Mr Dick built the bungalow on greenbelt land he owns in Dorset in 2010 - but did not secure planning permission from the council  The pensioner has won another reprieve after his court date was delayed again  It is not known if Mr Dick has made these payments.  After breaching the notice for a third time, the local authority prosecuted Mr Dick again in July 2024.  BCP Council launched the legal action nearly two years ago, however, are no closer to a resolution.  A trial date had been set for November 2024, but the case did not proceed and a new case was fixed for August 2025. However, this was also adjourned.  At the most recent hearing, the case was farcically adjourned again at the request of the defence on the grounds of more 'legal advice' - despite Mr Dick having had 20 months since his not guilty plea to secure legal representation.  A new trial date has been set for March 2027 - 17 years since the construction of the bungalow.  At a previous court hearing, Mr Dick said he constructed the bungalow to accommodate for his wife as she has degenerative muscular dystrophy. He said: 'My wife has muscular dystrophy which is progressive and the layout of the house is designed for her.' At a previous court hearing Mr Dick said he had the house built for his wife as she has degenerative muscular dystrophy  Mr Dick and his elderly wife are still living in the illegal bungalow, fortifying their property with an 8ft high padlocked gate and barbed wire Mr Dick insisted the property, called Longcroft, should be protected under the European Convention on Human Rights There is a steel-clad industrial warehouse on Mr Dick's land that was converted into residential use in 2003 and has since been declared 'lawful'. He and his wife lived there until the illegal bungalow was built. In a separate move, last year Mr Dick applied to demolish the steel structure and replace it with a brick-built home which was refused as inappropriate development harmful to the green belt. Neighbours of Mr Dick's previously told the Mail the property isn't 'doing any harm', and blasted complainers. One said: 'It doesn't bother me, I don't really care what he does there. 'I have never actually seen the property, you can't see it from my house but I don't think it's doing any harm. 'I know there are a few people on the road who object, but I think some people have double standards because they would all like to develop their own land and you can't have it both ways. 'There is an SSSI on the heathland, but the houses have been here a long time, since the 1960s I think, and there are a few businesses as well. 'I do think the council don't go after big developers when they break the rules but they will go after individuals like him, it's all about who's got the money.' A spokesperson for BCP Council said they cannot comment on a live court case and denied an FOI request for further information citing data protection.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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