Woman who built hidden home in Peak District barn loses six-year legal battle
Derbyshire Dales District Council has secured a contempt of court ruling against a Darley Dale woman who built and lived in an unauthorised dwelling concealed inside an agricultural barn.
Helen Lowe, of North Park Farm, Whitworth Road, Darley Dale, built the residential structure within the barn without planning permission, and deliberately hid it to avoid detection.
Following a trial on Monday, May 18, Miss Lowe was found guilty of contempt for failing to comply with an earlier court order to cease living in the barn, and must now wait to learn her punishment.
A spokesperson for DDDC said: “This case shows the serious consequences of ignoring planning rules and failing to get the correct permission before carrying out development.
“The planning system only works when everyone follows the same rules. It is not acceptable for a few people to disregard the process while most comply.”
Following reports of a potential breach of planning rules, council officers carried out a detailed investigation and served an enforcement notice in February 2020 – but that was just the start of a six-year battle.
Miss Lowe appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, but the appeal was dismissed in February 2022 when the inspector concluded she must cease using the building as a dwelling, remove the unauthorised structure, and demolish an unlawful extension to the barn.
After she failed to comply, DDDC took Miss Lowe to court and in September 2024 she was ordered to remove the unauthorised dwelling and cease living in the barn.
Despite this, Miss Lowe continued to occupy the building and did not carry out the required works, and in July 2025, after further non-compliance, the council applied for contempt of court proceedings.
Sentencing has been adjourned until August, with the maximum penalty being up to two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. The council was also awarded £10,000 in costs.
The DDDC spokesperson said: “Derbyshire Dales District Council is pleased to have obtained a guilty verdict on Miss Lowe, and to have been awarded costs against her. We are grateful to the Darley Dale community for their patience as we pursued this complex and lengthy court action.”