Les Landes Farm has an unusual history. It was originally purchased by the current owner’s parents in the 1960s, but before they could move in, it was occupied by squatters, who could not be removed. After some time, a fire occurred, and the house was completely gutted, following which the remaining walls were condemned by the States Engineer and demolished. All the stone was subsequently removed from the site, so no trace was left of the original house. The fields were rented out and the remaining barns and cow sheds fell into decay, the roofs caved in and they became so overgrown that they were no longer visible.
The son and daughter-in-law of the original owners wanted to build a new house on the site of the original, but planning law completely prohibited this. However, by chance Andrew Dyke discovered the ruined walls of the farm buildings hidden within the thicket. Trees and brambles were cleared and the remaining walls surveyed and pronounced sound by the Engineer. Plans were prepared to re-roof the ruins, and a scheme was designed and Planning Permission granted to turn them into the unusual courtyard dwelling that can be seen today.