Builders of a new block of flats have been forced to place them around a lamp post after failing to get permission to remove it.
The unusual design was seen on a four-storey block in Gillingham, Kent, which is still under construction.
One of the single-story balconies of the new building has been built around an existing street lamp, through which light enters.
It has caused quite a stir among locals – one suggested it could save on their electricity bill, while others joked that it was simply a fire escape.
But developer Afaad Ltd says it decided to carry out the work around the lamppost, just to meet a tight deadline.
The strange sight on Jeffery Street in Gillingham, Kent, appeared outside the four-storey block where the development’s balcony was built around a lamppost.
The street lamp will eventually be removed and the hole in the balcony will be filled in later.
The site, at the junction with James Street, was previously the Dog and Bone pub.
Plans to convert it into apartments were given the green light by Medway Council in 2019.
Construction began in 2022 after permission was granted for the block to be 13.1m instead of the original 11m.
Gillingham resident Barry Knight went to visit the site after seeing photos of the streetlight shared online and couldn’t believe his eyes.
He said, “It’s funny, but it shouldn’t be.” I wouldn’t want to live there.’
This was not the first time the building had attracted the city’s attention.
In August, an Arriva bus crashed into scaffolding surrounding the new construction, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services.
A spokesperson for developer Afaad said: “It’s a work in progress; we’re still carrying out the installation.” We still have a few months left, so this is not the complete product.
“It was never intended to be like this, but since it is municipal property, you have to wait for permission.” So we can’t touch it.
Medway Council said it is aware of the issues surrounding the apartments.