The case was brought by North Northamptonshire Council following serious concerns about building work and a lack of adherence by the developer Michigan Construction to building regulations and the planning permission.

The unauthorised structure at Jobs Yard resulted in formal action from the council’s building control and planning enforcement teams, supported by the Health and Safety Executive.

After a three-day trial at Birmingham High Court, Judge Sarah Watson ordered the developer to pay for a specialist contractor to demolish the building by February 28, 2024.

The council was awarded costs and will be seeking to recover its costs incurred in the proceedings from Michigan Construction.

Councillor David Brackenbury, the council’s executive member for growth and regeneration, said: “We have been trying to work with the developer of this site for some considerable time now and going to court was always a last resort.

“We are pleased that the court found in our favour and we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the developer follows the orders set out by the court.

“We simply cannot permit unsafe construction that breaches planning permission to be allowed – it is unsafe for our residents and it’s a blight on our town centres.

“I’m delighted that the court has found in our favour – and I hope it sends out a warning to cowboy constructors who think they can cut corners.”