THE foundations of a special needs unit built in the wrong place will have to be ripped up.

Bolton councillors yesterday tore into developers who started building the bungalow in Buckingham Avene, Horwich, up to eight metres away from where it should have been.

Residents angered by what they saw as a deliberate attempt to flout planning conditions have hailed the unanimous decision "a victory for common sense".

Had planning permission been granted for the special needs unit in its new location it would have been nearer the road and neighbouring properties.

But members of the council's planning committee were determined to make a stand. Cllr Raymond Stones said: "There is nobody in here who could have been so far out in their measurement. I think it's an insult to us if we pass this."

Cllr John Monaghan, who said he had himself worked in the building trade, said: "If I'd have been anything like as far out as this is I would have been fired. It's gross incompetence. If we approve this it's giving the green light to developers to encroach on their planning conditions."

North British Housing Association -- who have contracted Roland Bardsley builders to build the special needs bungalow -- will now have to dig up the foundations and start again.

Howard Barritt, council head of planning control, said: "They have built it in the wrong place and they will have to suffer the consequences."

Buckingham Avenue resident Phil Smith, who first contacted the council in May when he spotted builders starting the foundations in the wrong place, welcomed the decision.

"It's excellent news," he said. "It's a victory for common sense and it vindicates what we've been saying all along."