Wtf is the point of a planning law? If they weren't able to notice it for 4 years.... it's not like it's taking up more space than in those 4 years...
I agree. With the money that they've already invested in building the home, demolishing it would be (As they said in the article), along the same lines of vandalism.
That's awful. They should let the man live in peace. It's no like they even lose anything, it's a manner of principle for them.