A HOUSEBUILDER was branded "absolutely ridiculous" for breaking rules on hours of working after residents in Wilsden complained of builders using a wacker at 2am.

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court heard that neighbours of a Harron Homes residential development on Crack Lane were woken up by the sound of workmen entering the site in the early hours of June 10 this year.

Harjit Ryatt, prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, told the court: "Once on site, they began to operate a wacker. It is a compactor that compacts the ground.

"Neighbours, when they heard an industrial device operating at 2am, became quite distressed and annoyed that they had been woken from their slumber."

Magistrate Carl Davids imposed a fine of £3,334 and ordered Harron Homes to pay court costs of £1,364 and a surcharge of £120 - a total of £4,818.

He added: "We are not going to tolerate people working with wackers at two or three o'clock in the morning. That is absolutely ridiculous.

"We want to send that message out to all those builders who are breaking the law."

Mr Ryatt said residents had gone out to complain to the workmen, but were "ignored". Work only ceased shortly after 3.15am when police arrived and "encouraged workmen to stop".

He added that Harron Homes said the work was being carried out ahead of further that was set to be carried out by other workmen later that day. The court heard that the firm apologised to residents the same day.

Mr Ryatt told the court that Harron Homes had received planning permission to build 82 homes on land at Crack Lane, Wilsden.

He said the developer suggested hours in which the company would work on the site, which were agreed by Bradford Council. They were Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6.30pm, and Saturday between 8am and 1pm.

The court was told, by Mr Ryatt, that the developer also worked at the site on a Sunday, which was not part of the agreement, on May 18 this year.

Harron Homes sent a letter to the court, in which it pleaded guilty to the two offences.

Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member for housing, planning and transport, said: "After receiving reports that work was going on until around 2am we took action because this was unacceptable and we realised the distress and inconvenience this was causing to local people.

"We do listen to people's concerns and we are delighted with the outcome of this case . It sends a clear message to developers that they should work within the permitted hours laid down in planning conditions and the Council will take action if these are ignored."