Developer Caught Demolishing Controversial Farmhouse: Officials

The saga continues.

McGrath, the developer at Villas at Newtown, has been served a Cease & Desist order Friday after township officials say he began to prematurely demolish a historic farmhouse without approval. The builder must "immediately" stop tearing down the structure or face steep fines and even jail time as a consequence, the order says.

In March, McGrath and the township reached an agreement in the ongoing controversy surrounding the farmhouse. In short, the original approval for the development called for a full restoration of the farmhouse. However, the township has since granted him approval to renovate and add to the farmhouse with modern materials, plus add additional units to the community.

However, no final plans have been approved by the township, Supervisor Phil Calabro explained.

That's why, when another official noticed the house was being demolished Friday, the township quickly ordered a Cease & Desist.

McGrath will be fined $500 a day if he does not cease demolition of the property, the order states. He could face prison time if he defaults on payment.