‘Rambo’ war hero who re-built stunning castle retreat now faces having it bulldozed AGAIN by ‘jobsworth’ council
AN AFGHAN war hero dubbed a 'real-life Rambo' is fighting to keep his mountain cabin from being demolished.
Ex-lance corporal Mike Allen, 41, built the cabin in Sirhowy Valley, South Wales, as a way for the veteran to deal with his PTSD.
The remote retreat was first bulldozed in 2018, but a campaign by The Sun helped Allen find a new location for a new cabin.
Allen rebuilt the cabin in 2019 with £200's worth of stone and timber that he carried all himself.
But, Caerphilly County Borough Council looks to now be wielding the axe again over council concerns that it breaches planning rules
Allen is now fundraising to stop his cabin being demolished for a second time.
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Allen's goal is to raise £1,300, but he has already rasied £3,300.
"This [the cabin] has been visited by over 10,000 people, creating many beautiful memories for families with visitors travelling from all over the world.
"Aside from this, the Castle has been used as a well-being base providing a unique and functional way of helping people in times of crisis and to develop healthier perspectives."
Allen said the money will be spent on the planning row after "the council have expressed their concern that agricultural land is being used for recreational purposes."
'Wattsville Castle', as it is known, is used as a safe space for struggling veterans to get away for a peaceful break.
It flies the Welsh flag has been built to resemble a medieval castle.
Allen was diagnosed with PTSD after seeing pals blown up by bombs in Afghanistan as part of the Royal Welsh.
His marriage collapsed and he had to kip on friends’ sofas before building his remote cabin — without forestry permission.
When he returned from a Remembrance Sunday weekend in 2018 he found the first castle and his belongings gone.
Mike told The Sun: “After my home was destroyed I had to start again.
“Thanks to The Sun a local land owner came forward and showed me a plot of land where I could rebuild my home.
"Some times we struggle to be around normal people and it can be hard to cope - but when we're with other veterans and other people in the same position its easier.
"After leaving the army, I had some serious mental health issues and other problems. I struggled for a very, very long time and things weren't working.
"Things continued to go downhill so I ended up going up the mountain and started building.
“The cabin started as a shelter but turned into something really special. It was healing me. It gave me cover from the elements, focus, and a sense of accomplishment whilst appreciating the landscape.
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“I want to make a place where veterans who are in a dark place can come here, have some R&R, breathe, and take some time."
Caerphilly County Borough Council has been approached for comment.
What are your rights in this situation?
Planning permission guidance according to gov.uk
You will need to request planning permission if you wish to build something new, make a major change to your building or change the use of your building - for example starting a business.
To find out if you need planning permission you should contact your Local Planning Authority through your council.
If planning permission is refused you can appeal.
You are able to appeal if you were refused planning permission for reasons that you think go against the LPA’s development plan or planning policy (you can usually find these on their website).
You can also appeal if you were granted planning permission with conditions you object to - you’ll need to explain why you think they’re unnecessary, unenforceable, vague, unreasonable or irrelevant.
Another ground for appeal is if the LPA has not given you a decision on your application and 8 weeks have passed since the date they told you they’d received it (or a different deadline you agreed with them has passed).
