TARGET 150520

House in The Middle of a Road

Still standing

A lone apartment building stands in the middle of a newly built road after an elderly couple refused to relocate.

Luo Baogen and his wife insist on living in the half-demolished building in the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, China because they believe that the relocation compensation offered by the government is not enough.

Now the only building left standing, the five storey block is a strange sight as cars drive around it while the couple remain living inside.

King of the road

To ensure the couple's safety, adjacent rooms in the building have been left intact but all their neighbours have moved out, according to local media.

The road paved through the Xiazhangyang village leads to the Wenling railway station and is yet to be officially opened.

 Baogen looks down on road

Mr Baogen and his wife believe that the compensation on offer would not be enough to cover their rebuilding costs.

In the People's Republic of China, during most of the Communist era, private ownership of property was abolished, making it easy for residents to be moved on - but now the laws have been tightened up and it is illegal to demolish property by force without an agreement.

Baogen holding land title

Property owners in China that refuse to move to make way for development are known as 'Nail Householders' referring to a stubborn nail that is not easy to remove from a piece of old wood and cannot be pulled out with a hammer.

Earlier this year, Hong Chunqin, 75, and her husband Kung, who live in the two dilapidated buildings with their two sons, had initially agreed to sell the property in Taizhou, in Zhejiang province and accepted £8,000 in compensation.

Baogen looks on

But then she changed her mind and refunded the money once work on the road had started.

Baogen on balcony

Calm before the storm: The balcony from Mr Baogen's home looked peaceful, but he was finally forced to move before the road was opened to traffic.

Front of house

Thinking laterally: Unperturbed by the couple's decision to remain in the property, developers simply paved around the house

House in road

The long road home: The house that appears to be plonked in the middle of a motorway is likely to prove an unusual landmark for passing motorists.


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Chinese authorities demolish 'Nail House' in the middle of road




Many thanks to Ray McClure for creating this target.