A CONTROVERSIAL plot of land in Weaverham that was cleared in 2011 following a five-year legal battle has been sold.

The site, in Village Close, was home to what the village has dubbed the ‘Anaconda Saga’.

In early 2011 demolition teams moved in to knock down a block of semi-detached houses built without consent in the village.

The action was taken following a five-year legal battle over the properties after developer Anaconda Investments Limited repeatedly failed to comply with an order to pull down the block, constructed in 2006, after it was built too close to neighbouring properties and in defiance of approved plans.

After unsuccessfully appealing a planning enforcement notice before an independent inspector and failing in a legal challenge in the courts, the company was convicted of a criminal offence for not removing the building. Its appeal against conviction was then dismissed.

But in October the plot was put on the market by its owners - believed to be the Bank of Scotland - at an asking price of £35,000.

This week Swettenham’s, based in the Bull Ring in Northwich, confirmed they had sold the plot of land but were unable to disclose the price.

Before the sale, a description of the plot was put on RigthMove and Swettenham’s website.

It said: “This is an opportunity to purchase a plot of land with the potential to gain planning permission for either a three bedroom or four bedroom detached property subject to the necessary planning permission being obtained from Chester West and Chester Council.

“The potential plot can be viewed from the road.”

Michelle Jones, clerk of Weaverham Parish Council, said she had checked the planning system and no permissions had been granted for the land.

"Any previous permissions for the plot have long since expired, no new applications are showing on their system either," she told the Guardian.