The building of a block of flats has taken a strange turn after developers have built a balcony around a lamppost. The construction of the new-build apartments in Kent has attracted attention for the unusual feature.

The four-storey accommodation on Jeffery Street, Gillingham, can be seen with the street lighting sticking out of the centre of one of the outdoor spaces.

A spokesman for developer Afaad Ltd told KentOnline it was ‘the only way they could hit a tight deadline’ as they waited for permission from Medway Council, and said “we can’t touch it”.

The Chatham-based company also told the PA news agency that the lamppost is going to be taken out and it is waiting for the council to take it down.

KentOnline reported how residents joked about the new fitting saving on electricity bills and being used as a fire escape.

Medway Council said it was aware of issues at the flats, mostly relating to building control, which were being looked at by an inspector.

It is not the first time that developers have built around a lamppost, as one property in Greater Manchester had one sticking through its roof.

The home’s builder, Dave Green, claims his ‘hand was forced’ after noticing the lamppost was set back further than all the others on the street.

As the lamppost was sat where the fascias were set to go, he said he decided to build the house around it and seal it into the roof tiles.