‘Builder’ fined over £15,000 after leaving Woodhall home with unstable roof and walls

A self-proclaimed builder has been fined for carrying out unsafe building works on a property in Woodhall.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Feb 2022, 10:51 BST
No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103646001No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103646001
No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103646001

Mick Bucknall pleaded guilty to breaching Building Regulations in June 2020 and was ordered to pay £15,486.00 of compensation, with additional costs of £2,579.63 and fines of £500 by Lincoln Magistrates Court, to be paid back at a rate of £400 per month.

The court stated that they wanted to concentrate on the compensation for the homeowner, after Mr Bucknall had pleaded guilty to five charges of the work he carried out, which left the homeowner with an unsupported roof, gable wall, unsafe chimney, unsupported large roof light in the kitchen area and several other issues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a result, the homeowner has had to pay £45,000 to correct Mr Bucknall’s unsafe work, which has also resulted in them selling the property to cover the costs.

Most Popular
No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103656001No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103656001
No Caption ABCDE EMN-220222-103656001

The sentence came after as he went through various legal support before finally pleading guilty last week, nearly two years since Mr Bucknall carried out the unsafe works.

The homeowner contacted a Structural Engineer following the advice from a visitor who suspected the works were not compliant with Building Regulations and upon inspection, the works were deemed unsafe, and props were immediately placed to support the roof, which had no end supports.

Further inspection of the works found that the roof was only supported on a single brick wall at the gable end and on a piece of timber connected to the existing pitched roof, which could not withstand any length of time and could have collapsed and caused serious injury, or worse.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Tom Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Building Control said at East Lindsey District Council, said: “Mr Bucknell’s actions are an example of why Building Regulations must always be met. Public safety should always be the builder’s priority and unfortunately in this case, corners were cut, and the homeowner suffered. It is reminded that the Council will not hesitate to act in circumstances where public safety has been compromised and we sincerely hope this does not happen again at the hands of Mr Bucknall.”