Angry builder erects gargoyle of council chief as planning row turns ugly

An angry builder has been accused of having a “vendetta” after erecting a giant stone gargoyle resembling a council leader as a bitter planning row turned ugly.

Michael Thomas, 71, was angered after his plan to convert an old pizzeria into a three-storey, seven-bedroom home was rejected by leaders at Trowbridge Town Council, in Wiltshire.

Cllr Stewart Palmen objected to the project and put an enforcement notice in place to halt the project, prompting fury from Mr Thomas who had planned to covert the property into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Mr Thomas seemingly sought revenge by placing the stone figure of Cllr Palmen, which shows him sporting half-moon spectacles and sticking his tongue out, onto the roof of the building.