A HAULAGE company boss was arrested by police for criminal damage - for lifting a six feet pole out of the ground.

The company director - who was later cautioned - had shifted the steel post to allow his lorry to pass along a narrow Sale road, Rivers Hill, and get to land earmarked for a five house development.

He had been caught up in a saga revolving around the £1 million scheme.

The posts have been erected by residents to mark out their territory on the private road, leaving a right to way at the width agreed in a recent High Court case.

The landowner and developer, Mike McHugh, claims it is 'petty behaviour' by residents, to stop lorries getting to the site. One of the posts was damaged when it was hit by a lorry, and the residents sent a bill for £95.

Mr McHugh has planning permission and plans to build five £200,000 houses on the land.

He says: "What is happening here is unbelievable, it is so petty. We just want to build five nice houses which will enhance the area. B ut we won't let this stop us. We are arranging for smaller wagons to come in future."

But the residents who erected the posts - Michael Farrimond and Robert Greaves - deny there is any dispute, and point out they are merely putting up posts before erecting fences to the point agreed in the High Court case.

"There is no dispute. They have a right of access. But I am extending my fence to the reserved right of way. I am certainly not acting out of spite," says Mr Farrimond.

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