RESIDENTS in a Vale of York village were treated to a bizarre sight when the roof of a house was removed, 70 centimetres was sliced off the bottom - then it was put back on again.

The unusual spectacle came about after planners halted construction of the house at Back Lane, Stillington, when it came to light that the building was higher than in the plans.

Owner Geoff Bobb said: "I am not particularly bothered it is coming down, the new height is what it should be.

"There has just been a mix-up between the architects and the timber frame people."

Mr Bobb and his wife, Ann, were originally denied planning permission to build the Scandinavian-style house, near to their present home, to retire to.

They appealed and were given the go-ahead.

But when construction began, other villagers noticed it was higher than it should have been and tipped off Hambleton District Council planners.

Some residents claimed the increase in height could have wiped as much as £100,000 off the value of nearby houses.

More than 80 villagers signed a petition to ensure the Bobbs kept to planning guidelines.

Mr Bobb said it was simply a mix-up and, because of the nature of the construction, it was not unheard of for a situation like this to occur.

He said: "When they have done this, the planning people will send someone to check it out. When they have looked at it we can then continue with the building."

But villagers are still not happy and say the house does not include adequate disabled access required for new properties.

One villager, Harry Silcock, said he was pleased the house was now being built according to the plans, but not pleased about the disabled access issue.

Mr Bobb denied there was any problem with disabled access and hoped the building could begin soon so the house would be completed before winter.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, April 24, 2003