A controversial house with a huge shark crashing through its roof is facing a new battle with the local council. The Shark House has been attracting attention since 1986 when Bill Heine constructed the massive sculpture without planning permission. Bill died in 2019 and his son Magnus Hanson-Heine took over the property, having used Airbnb to let the property out as short term holiday accommodation for the last five years.
Image Credit: Metro [FILE PICTURE - Bill Heine outside his house number two New High Street in Oxford. Photo released December 16 2024. The owner of the iconic "shark house" in Oxford says "come while you can" after council demand closure of quirky Airbnb.Oxford City Council won the planning appeal banning the use of short let accommodation last week for the quirky property in New Street, Headington, more widely known as the Shark House - which features a 25ft shark sticking out of its roof.This comes after owner Dr. Magnus Hanson-Heine, whose father Bill Heine constructed the sculpture without official planning permission from Oxford City Council in 1986.For the last five years, Dr. Hanson-Heine has been letting the property out on Airbnb for short term stays - but received notice from the council to shut it down, after a member of the public complained about the change from a residential use to a short-term let.]
But the council has now ruled that the Shark House can no longer be used as a short term rental – and Magnus claims they’re using the property as a ‘test case’ to try and shut down Airbnbs in Oxford. Magnus says he will fight the decision and says potential visitors should ‘come while you can’ to stay in the unique property.
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He’s been ordered to stop using the home as a short term let by March 11 of next year – which he believes will hurt Oxford’s tourism economy. Magnus explained: ‘The Shark House is a major tourist attraction, not just a regular family home. ‘It’s been a delight to be able to open it up to members of the public to celebrate it with us, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can.
Image Credit: Metro [FILE PHOTO - The Shark House in suburban Oxford. Photo released December 16 2024. The owner of the iconic "shark house" in Oxford says "come while you can" after council demand closure of quirky Airbnb.Oxford City Council won the planning appeal banning the use of short let accommodation last week for the quirky property in New Street, Headington, more widely known as the Shark House - which features a 25ft shark sticking out of its roof.This comes after owner Dr. Magnus Hanson-Heine, whose father Bill Heine constructed the sculpture without official planning permission from Oxford City Council in 1986.For the last five years, Dr. Hanson-Heine has been letting the property out on Airbnb for short term stays - but received notice from the council to shut it down, after a member of the public complained about the change from a residential use to a short-term let.]
‘I’ve yet to hear any complaints from our neighbours, even during the planning appeal, and the inspector found no such harm in his decision. ‘We have mostly had five star reviews from guests. ‘Certain elements of the council have just used this as an excuse to score some cheap political points by going after a local landmark at the expense of the public.
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