BUILDERS are still working on a "shack in a shanty town" that the council ordered to be knocked down.

Residents were outraged when work first began to extend the property in Claremont Road, Walthamstow.

One complained that it did not look as if it had been professionally built and that it resembled "a shack in a shanty town".

Councillors also slammed the building during a public meeting and ordered that the extension should be demolished.

Cllr Peter Woolcott, Liberal Democrat, said at the time: "This is one of the worst buildings I have ever seen. I would like to know what the foundations have been built on."

The owner said that he only needs the property for another 12 months, then he will move.

He has ignored council orders in the past and work was continuing on the building when a Guardian reporter paid a visit.

Sonia Guha, who lives just around the corner from the property, was surprised that work was continuing despite the council order.

She said: "I woke up one morning to the sound of banging. I went outside and saw builders at work once again.

"I couldn't believe it. The building is disgusting. It has no proper roof and has big gaps in it. The sooner the council tears it down the better.

"I'm worried that once they've finished building we'll be stuck with it."

According to the council, a delayed legal notice has allowed the builders to carry on.

This was caused by a backlog of such cases and a reorganisation of the legal department.

A spokeswoman said: "We're hoping we can get things moving much more quickly now.

"We thought the work had stopped. We're going to make this case a priority now we know it hasn't.

"If they don't stop building we're prepared to take them to court."