A DIGGER driver hell-bent on destruction has marked the beginning of work to turn a Hampshire man's dream into a reality.

Businessman Richard Jones watched as the councillor who helped him win his planning battle started demolition ahead of the construction of his £2.6m dream home in Titchfield - styled on the Sydney Opera House.

Titchfield ward councillor Connie Hockley spoke of her delight at being the guest of honour at the special ceremony at Meon Shore.

What was the derelict 1920s bungalow Green Shutters will become Dreamfield, the home of Mr Jones and his partner Cathryn Butcher, in about a year's time.

The end result will be a unique energy-efficient, state-of-the-art home built to take in the panoramic views of the Solent, complete with a swimming pool and home cinema.

Mr Jones, the managing director of a Whiteley business consultancy, described the day as a momentous occasion.

He wept as planners finally gave the plans the go-ahead in May at the fourth time of asking and after a two-year planning battle.

Mr Jones was forced to redesign Dreamfield after he lost at appeal by just one point, although he believed all his previous applications complied with council planning policies.

At the ceremony on Friday he said: "Today is a momentous day when finally we can rid ourselves of the eyesore that is Green Shutters and make room for the sculpture that is Dreamfield.

"I hope that as well as being a showpiece for design and energy efficiency, it will encourage other self-builders to be bold in their aspirations and get away from dull mediocrity."

In a special thank you for their support, Cllr Hockley and her planning committee colleagues Cllrs Di Harrison, Brian Bayford and Peter Davies were given hard hats and flourescent jackets so they can return as work progresses.

The planning consultant, architects, designers and builders were also there to see work start.

The progress of Dreamfield will feature in a 15-part television series called Ultimate Home.

The design has won approval from the prestigious Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

Although the roof of the property can be compared to the Sydney Opera House, Mr Jones says the shape is more like the upturned hull of a boat.