AN Altrincham developer who built an apartment block too high, built six homes in different positions and altered basements has been granted retrospective planning permission.

Real Estate Investment has been developing the site at Alexandra House, 80 St Johns Road, that used to house a former YMCA Hostel.

The firm was granted permission in 2016 to demolish the building to make way for 34 apartments and six mews properties.

However, planning documents revealed that original planning conditions had been breached.

The document stated: “It has been established that the apartments under construction are higher than approved.

“The apartments fronting Ashley Road measure 730mm (2ft 4in) and the flats facing St John’s Road measure 655mm (2ft 1in) too high.

“The mews houses have been repositioned 1.5m (4ft 11in) further away from St John’s Court boundary. The basement parking area has been extended with an amended layout and repositioned entrance ramp.”

The application was discussed by members of the authority’s planning committee last week.

A spokesman for the developers told the hearing how the increase in height was due to providing "root protection" for retained trees and repositioning the apartment block and houses was commissioned by structural engineers at "post planning" and design stage.

Resident Brian Clancey said that as a result of the development, neighbouring properties had been damaged.

“We at nearby St John’s Court have had two brick garages demolished while another has been significantly damaged,” he said.

“In addition, a large part of our parking area has been destroyed, our boundary wall has tilted, our driveway and drainage has subsided and cracked badly. After 12 months we are still waiting for the promised remedial works to commence.”

Cllr Karen Barclay said it had been a "very difficult" development for residents as the work had been going on for some time.

“As a result, residents have suffered damage to their paths, drains, party wall and their garages have been demolished,” she added.

“All these issues have been severe enough to obtain the assistance from the authority’s enforcement officer.

“However, we have to be realistic and while residents do not approve of the variations, they do less than reasonable harm to the surrounding area.

“But I hope this call-in sends out a strong message to developers that they should take their responsibilities very seriously.”

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Tom Flanagan said the repositioning of the apartment block and houses was commissioned by structural engineers at post planning and design stage.

In addition, the repositioning of the basement ramp was also due to tree protection which, in turn, led to the ground levels needing to be raised. We wanted to avoid this situation more than anything,” said Mr Flanagan.

“The contractor is taking full responsibility for repairing the damage that has been caused to neighbouring properties.”

Councillors voted to approve the amendments.