A HOUSEHOLDER at the centre of a row over an electricity pylon built next to his "million-pound" home has been arrested by police.
Dermot Finnigan says the four-bed house he designed himself in Mersey Valley nature reserve in Sale was rendered worthless when National Grid Transco erected the electricity pylon.
Mr Finnigan was arrested on suspicion of threatening to shoot the overhead cables.
He told the M.EN. he was exasperated and wanted to prove the cables were over his property.
The 51-year-old former demolition contractor is taking legal action against the firm, which moved a pylon closer to his home on Golf Road to make way for a Metrolink tram extension, which has since been cancelled.
National Grid
Mr Finnigan said he phoned up Transco in frustration. He added: "I have no gun. I'm just a man trying to prove a point. I don't know why they've chosen to get the police involved. The police were very good. The National Grid set me up."
He added: "My house was valued at a million pounds before the pylon went up. It's just been valued at over £400,000, but it's unlikely anyone will pay that to live next to a pylon."
National Grid Transco spokesman Steward Larque said: "Mr Finnigan has refused to show us his title deeds. Any allegation that we have manufactured evidence would be without foundation."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said: "GMPTE has taken Mr Finnigan's case very seriously and is sympathetic but he is not legally entitled to any compensation."
Manchester Police confirmed a 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threatening to commit criminal damage.
Should we be compensated for pylons near our houses? Have your say.
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This poor man I feel so sorry for him. They should offer him compensation or move the pylon. I would choose the latter as I would also fear for my health next to one of those pylons.
Very frustrating...
Considering it costs nearly B#1 million to move these things which gmpte paid for out of the metrolink costs i dont think that they will be moving it in a hurry, unfortunately like most people who have had to move out of their homes or even lost their homes because of the 200 mill spent preparing for this scheme (what a waste), he will have to live with it
People have had to move away from the area due to the Metrolink, even though they are council tenants and will not lose any money because of this, but what about leaving your freinds and family having to start again in a new area money isnt always everything at least he still has his home and the comunity that he knows. These extensions need to happen and happen fast gmpte and the goverment have a lot to answer for.