A government inspector ruled that what Ken and Barbara Mead said was their “dream home” contravened planning law.

In 2012 the couple were granted planning permission for a warehouse on their land near Macclesfield, but, three years later, they began living in it.

Cheshire East Council issued the Meads with enforcement notices in 2016 ordering them to “demolish the building in its entirety”.

The following year, a government inspector upheld the order, finding that the building in Sutton had been constructed “from the outset as a dwelling”.

In evidence, the report cited the building’s plastered walls, “domestic style” bathroom, doors and windows and “luxury” under floor kitchen heating.

“It seems to me that the structure would be entirely unsuited to use as a warehouse,” it said.

The inspector also upheld a second enforcement notice because the couple had changed the land’s use without permission by moving in to the building.

Mrs Mead said she was “devastated”, while Mr Mead blamed mistakes by the council, claiming the authhority gave them incorrect information when they applied for their original planning permission, and had been inconsistent in its advice.

“It was our dream really”, Mrs Mead said, adding, “I’m devastated that it’s come to this because we didn’t have anywhere else to go”.

The couple are now living on a narrow boat paid for by their children, who say the cost of the demolition will use the last of their parents’ savings.

Cheshire East Council said it had made the planning contraventions “very clear” to Mr and Mrs Mead.

“The owners chose to ignore the council’s advice and moved into the unauthorised dwelling”, a spokesperson said.