Homeowner refused to sell to Chinese Government resulting in highway being built around house
A Chinese woman was urged to sell her tiny home so that it could be demolished to make room for a highway... but she wasn't going down without a fight.
Ms. Liang - who is only known by her surname - was asked to vacate her property in the city of Guangzhou, China, so that developers could demolish it and build a highway.
In total, 47 households and seven business were asked to vacate their properties; however, Ms. Liang refused to do so.
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Her neighbors moved out in 2019 but, as of earlier this year, Ms. Liang remained her home.
It was decided in 2010 that the site was going to be the location of the new highway and work has now been completed as developers simply chose to build around Liang's house.
According to footage released by local media company Guangdong TV, the house - known as a ‘nail house' - is a one-storey home.
It’s also claimed that the plot contains a small 40-square-metre (430-square-foot) flat.
Despite having brilliant views before the motorway was built, the accommodation is now sandwiched between two lanes of the freeway bridge.
To make things sound even worse, the dingzihu now sits in the middle of four lanes of traffic.
But, in an interview with MailOnline, Liang said: “You think this environment is poor, but I feel it's quiet, liberating, pleasant and comfortable.”
As to why she refused to move, apparently Liang wasn't happy with the alternative accommodation options she was given.
According to authorities, the stubborn resident was offered a variety of homes to move into and also rejected many compensation schemes.
A source close to the project allegedly told local media that 'Ms Liang had demanded the government give her four apartments, but the government had only agreed to two.”
Before giving the resident the green light to stay, engineers apparently studied the relevant safety issues. When they gave the all-clear, Liang was allowed to stay and bridge construction began.
Following the completion of the freeway, Government officials have stated that they will continue to communicate with the homeowner so that she feels safe and secure in her Guangzhou home.
It's not unheard of for people to refuse to sell their homes to developers so that they can demolish it.
An Australian family have turned down millions of dollars to sell their home, meaning builders have had to go around their land.
Locals have since applauded the Zammits for standing their ground.
Topics: News, China, World News, Life
Niamh Shackleton