Rather than wait for the lamppost to be moved, the builders didn't waste any time and decided to tweak their plans...
The confounding house in Ashton-under-Lyme(Image credit: Gary Carter)
A housing developer that built a roof around a lamppost has been ordered to remove it by council planning bosses.
The unusual situation occurred at a newbuild property in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, leaving nearby residents confused and bemused.
The light pokes through the eaves of the roof, but the developers claim it was always a temporary measure.
Why was the lamppost built through the roof?
The developers, Dave Green and Sons, says the lamppost was built through the eve as a quick fix so work could continue.
In a statement, developer Dave Green and Sons said: “I myself are a reputable builder in the name Dave Green & Sons Builders.
“The lamppost is being repositioned by the council and once it has been repositioned the soffits and fascias will be finished off.
“It was always getting moved and got sealed in the roof space to not hold the job up.”
Get the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter
Bring your dream home to life with expert advice, how to guides and design inspiration. Sign up for our newsletter and get two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show near you.
The council has now ordered the developers to move the lamppost (Image credit: Gary Carter)
What did council bosses say?
Drawings for the application granted in February 2020 show the property was meant to be next to the lamppost, rather than through it.
A spokesman for Tameside Council said: “We have spoken to the developer and they have agreed to remove the lamppost and replace it nearer a neighbouring boundary wall.”
It will now be moved to another boundary wall close to the property.
Sam is based in Coventry and has been a news reporter for nearly 20 years. His work has featured in the Mirror, The Sun, MailOnline, the Independent, and news outlets throughout the world. As a copywriter, he has written for clients as diverse as Saint-Gobain, Michelin, Halfords Autocentre, Great British Heating, and Irwin Industrial Tools. During the pandemic, he converted a van into a mini-camper and is currently planning to convert his shed into an office and Star Wars shrine.
