'Hobbit home' to be bulldozed The couple, who live a self-sufficient lifestyle, fought the decision claiming it had a low impact on the environment because of its unique construction. Mr Hague, a sculptor and woodworker, said earlier: "We built this house to provide our son with a healthy environment to grow up in. We were born in the area, went to school here, and have lived here all our lives. We wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The pair acknowledged their property was built without prior consent but said there was no other way for them to afford their own home. Megan said: "I know it's not a possibility for everyone, and our situation here is unique, but if young people are to live and work in the area they need somewhere to live." The couple's appeal was dismissed by planning inspector Iwan Lloyd who ruled the development harms the character and appearance of the countryside. The inspector upheld the council's enforcement notice which requires the roundhouse and all associated work, including the timber decking be demolished. The order gives the couple two months to return the land to its previous condition. Mr Lloyd's report states: "The character and appearance of the countryside should be protected for its intrinsic sake. The benefits of a low-impact development do not outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the countryside. Friends said the couple were half expecting their appeal to be turned down but were still "devastated" by the decision. One friend said: "They are heartbroken - the roundhouse is a thing of great beauty which they put their hearts and souls into. They are a young couple who should be applauded for solving their own housing issues by creating a sustainable home out of local materials. Instead they are now facing the prospect of watching it being razed to the ground. The couple have applied for retrospective planning permission but their friends said they feared it was a lost cause.