BUILDERS took a bulldozer to a million pounds worth of luxury homes because they claimed they were owed cash.

They dug-up a newly-layed approach road - but police stepped in to halt their demolition plans. Now they are banned from the site under a high court injunction.

The row over payment centred on five £250,000 homes at the soon-to-be-named Chapel Garden, off Hollymount Lane, Greenmount.

Builders Quinn Constructions (UK) Ltd are in dispute with landowners Griffin Court Developments Ltd who, they say, owe them £200,000 for work carried out. Griffin Court Development Ltd were unwilling to comment on Quinn's claims this week.

During amazing scenes on Monday, half a dozen police officers stepped in to keep the feuding sides apart. They were called when a Quinn workman bulldozed the estate road just a matter of hours after it had been completed.

Managing director of the Warrington-based company, William Quinn, said they were forced to take drastic measures. "We are only taking back what is ours," he insisted. Work on the estate started last October, and the four and five bedroomed houses are nearly completed. One is already occupied.

Mr Alf Burrows, managing director of Griffin Court Developments Ltd, said: "Quinn Constructions (UK) Ltd can pursue the matter through the courts. In the meantime we have started building work on the estate with the blessing of the courts."

Solictors acting for Mr Burrows said yesterday that new contractors would be brought in to "repair the damage caused" and to "finish the outstanding work to their required standards".

The Cheong family, who moved in eight weeks ago, say their dream is rapidly turning into a nightmare.

Mrs Susan Cheong, who lives with husband, Chan and children Daniel (16) and Adam (13), said: "Who would want to move in now? The whole estate is a mess."

She added: "We are piggy in the middle. Work still needs to be done on our house and there is no one about. We have no idea what happens next.

"This was supposed to be our dream house. We spent two years looking for land, and when we heard about this we jumped at the chance. I can't believe what is happening. It's a nightmare."

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