Builders who built their homes with LAMP POST through the roof say the council forced them to do so

WORKERS who built a house with a lamppost sticking through the roof have insisted: “We are not cowboy builders”.

They say they had no choice but to integrate the street furniture into the two-bed house – or risk a three-month delay.

A lamp post has been integrated into a new build house in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater ManchesterCredit: Andy Kelvin/Kelvinmedia

Drawings showed that the new building should be located next to the lamppostCredit: Andy Kelvin/Kelvinmedia

Neighbor Pauline Ford said she couldn't believe it when the house was demolishedCredit: Andy Kelvin/Kelvinmedia

But the 'crazy' move has shocked and caused much amusement to neighbors in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.

Neighbor Pauline Ford, 64, said: “I couldn't believe it when it went up.

“It's crazy, just crazy to build the roof around the lamp post.

“They're still working on it, so I don't know what the owner thinks.”

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Pensioner Robert Hill, 69, added: “It's a crazy thing to do but it's a real talking point.”

Drawings showed that the two-bedroom house, developed by Sachdev Properties Limited, was to be located next to the lamppost.

When the building permit was granted in February 2020 for four new homes, no mention was made of extending the roof.

Builder Dave Green, 52, had noticed that one post on Whiteacre Rd was further back than the others and was exactly where the house's fascias were supposed to be.

But he went ahead with construction anyway, otherwise “we would have just had to postpone the job for three months,” he explained.

One of Dave's builders added, “We're not cowboy builders.”

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The story has captured the imagination of residents ever since.

Retired administration worker Linda Higbid, 74, said: “I think it will become a tourist attraction. It's going to be really famous.

“Personally, I think it's hilarious and as long as no one gets hurt and it's safe, I'm fine with it.”

Tameside Council has intervened and the company has agreed to move the lamp post.

Builder Dave explained: “It will be a matter of moving a few tiles, getting the council to remove the lamppost, then we can patch it up.”

A spokesman for Tameside Council said: “We have spoken to the developer and they have agreed to remove the lamppost and locate it closer to an adjacent boundary wall.”