Self build couple 'to take legal action'

One couple is reportedly looking to claim up to £6,000 in compensation from their local council.

A town hall watchdog has said they are entitled to the money following a long-running dispute over the materials used in the development of their self build log cabin in Hadston, according to the Northumberland Journal.

The council reportedly forced Mr and Mrs Howard to build their home with different materials at an extra cost.

"We are claiming for extra costs incurred due to the fact that the council made us build with logs rather than cladding, which in itself met all the council's criteria and had planning approval", they told the newspaper.

However, it was later found that the same ruling did not apply to other plot holders on the self build scheme so the two have set out to recover costs.

Self build can help to save costs because you miss out the middle man and pocket the cash that would normally go to developers.