Builder forced to demolish his £600,000 dream home after council ruled it was 2ft too tall

Steve Woodfinden-Lewis, 49, watched on in tears as a bulldozer moved to flatten his £600,000 detached house after planners found the home was 2ft too tall.

He was ordered to knock it down after a two-year wrangle that cost him £30,000, his health and his marriage. He's also having to foot the bill for the demolition.

Steve Woodfinden-Lewis stands outside his £600,000 detached home which he was forced to demolish after council planners found it was 2ft too tall

Planning chiefs in Stockport, Greater Manchester, said the house, in the leafy suburb of Woodford, was bigger than agreed on the plans.

Planning permission was originally granted for a two-storey, L-shaped three-bedroom cottage overlooking 40 acres of green-belt land.

An application to change the house type to include a two-storey rear extension, a higher roof and different porch was refused in April 2006. 

The council served an order in September 2006 saying the house was bigger than approved, was in the wrong location, had a different appearance from the approved plans and was out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Mr Woodfinden-Lewis lost an appeal against the notice last July and was given 12 months to comply.

He's had to pay for a demolition team to knock the building down and said the stress caused by the two-year wrangle led to breakdown of his 26-year marriage. He also suffered a heart attack.

Going, going, gone: Demolition work begins on Mr Woodfinden-Lewis's home

Planning chairman Councillor Chris Baker said: 'Mr and Mrs Woodfinden-Lewis chose to ignore the approved plans and built a house which was completely inappropriate in this location.

'They then ignored council advice, which resulted in formal action being taken. 

'The waste of time and resources expended on this development is regrettable.'

Mr Woodfinden-Lewis said there are discrepancies in the plans and his attempt to comply with the order was hindered by council officials.

He said: 'What I've been through is disgusting. It's caused me to have a heart attack and led to the break-up of my marriage.

'It was built too big because the plans were passed and approved for the wrong size house on the plot. I've spent £30,000 trying to prove my case.

'This is not the end of it, because I fully intend to reconstruct the property as per the planning permission. 

'I'm determined to build the property that should be there.It is heart-breaking for me to watch it being demolished.  I was in tears when I passed it.'