A homeowner ordered to reduce the roof height of his new detached house by 1.3 metres after ignoring planning permission said it will cost £75,000.

Saeed Postchi was told his five-bedroom home was too tall and ‘not built in accordance with the plans’. 

The 69-year accepted the build was ‘not anywhere close to what was approved’ – blaming a switch in architect and builder midway through the project for ‘misjudgements.’

Saeed also criticised the council for waiting until the house was completed before demanding action.

He said: ‘I am feeling very bad. I have not slept at night

‘It will cost me £75,000 to fix. It is a lot of money but I have accepted it and have to take it on the chin.

‘When we started the build process, everything was built according to the plans.

‘But halfway through, I had to change the architect and builder and some things were changed.

Saeed Postchi (pictured) has been ordered to reduce the roof height of his new detached house by 1.3 metres

Mr Postchi was told his five-bedroom home (middle) was ‘not built in accordance with the plans.’

Saeed criticised the council for waiting until the house (middle) was completed before demanding action

‘What I am upset and very disappointed about is that the council is usually there step-by-step to approve each part before allowing the build to continue.

‘This was not done here. If they had visited and seen the height of the roof when it was being built, the mistake would not have been made.

‘The council didn’t come until it was finished.’

Saeed, an engineer, added: ‘I respect the law and the council and will do what they ask.

‘Whatever the council say needs to be done, we will do.’

The house was completed last year after plans were approved to demolish a bungalow at the site and replaced with a two-storey home built on a wider footprint. 

It had been empty since 2013 after it was destroyed by fire while Saeed and his family were on holiday.

But the new build in Cockey Moor Road, Starling, near Bury, varied greatly from the approved plans.

The house (middle) was completed last year after plans were approved to demolish a bungalow at the site and replace it with a two-storey home built on a wider footprint

The new build in Cockey Moor Road, Starling, near Bury, varied greatly from the approved plans

Bury Council ordered the roof height reduction after stating the house was ‘overly dominant within the plot’

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A neighbour said: ‘The house was clearly taller than all the others nearby. I don’t know how they thought they’d get away with it.

‘It is better than what was there before because it has been abandoned for such a long time.

‘They should just have stuck to the original plans.’

Bury Council ordered the roof height reduction after stating the house – which had a build cost of more than £500,000 – was ‘overly dominant within the plot’ and was ‘seriously detrimental to the visual and residential amenity’ of those living nearby.

An enforcement notice issued by Bury Council added: ‘It is materially different in height, scale and massing.’

The authority also instructed Saeed to remove a rear window along with three patio style windows, remove first floor balcony constructions, and reform the roof of the porch area.

Saeed has now applied to the council to retain these modifications.

Architect Barry Cullen, who is overseeing the remedy plans and work, said: ‘We have asked if these features can remain and if they would have been approved if on the original plans.

The house had been empty since 2013 after it was destroyed by fire while Saeed and his family were on holiday

The authority instructed Saeed to remove a rear window along with three patio style windows, remove first floor balcony constructions, and reform the roof of the porch area

The original application said the home would have ‘the feel of late Victorian housing.’

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‘If the council allows the balconies and flat roofs at the back of the house to remain, we will erect obscured glazing to protect the privacy of the neighbours.

‘What he got approval for wasn’t built. It went a bit beyond that.

‘We have told the council that there will be full compliance.’

He added: ‘We would welcome an open and honest conversation on all matters moving forward as we are eager to comply with planning criteria and rectify any misjudgements

‘My client in hindsight reflects that what is built is not anywhere close to what was approved but he is also requesting a level of reconsideration in regard to how we have addressed mitigation of the design.

‘We are open to honest discussion on all matters moving forward as we are eager to comply with planning criteria and rectify any misjudgements.’

The original application said the home would have ‘the feel of late Victorian housing.’

The first floor would have four bedrooms with an office and snug area to enjoy the views.

The loft would be used as a bedroom with possibly a play or office area combined.

Bury Council will consider the response to the enforcement notice in the coming weeks.