‘I’m paying £4.5k a month so security guards can stop wall being demolished’

A landowner is paying £4,500 a month for round-the-clock security guards to protect a two-brick-high wall at the centre of a planning dispute in Gloucestershire, amid fears it could be demolished by a housing developer. Roger White, of Honeythorn Close, says he has employed security firm Glevum Security to watch the wall in Hempsted, Gloucester, continuously for the past two months to prevent what he believes would be an unlawful removal of a structure built by his late father on land he owns.

The dispute centres on whether the small red-brick wall sits on private land or within the boundary required for a housing development being carried out by Lioncourt Homes, which includes provision for emergency access routes. Mr White told the BBC his father constructed the wall in 1974 and that land registry documents, alongside a memorandum from that period, show it was not adopted as part of the highway. He argues this confirms ownership remains with him.

Mr White said: “I’ve taken steps to protect my dwarf wall by having a security company keeping around the clock watch on the wall to make sure they don’t just demolish it.”

Security has been stationed at the site for about two months, and Mr White said the arrangement could continue for several more, depending on how the dispute develops.

Mr White added that he would accept a contrary legal conclusion if it were properly evidenced: “If somebody showed me a piece of paper that said I was in the wrong, then I would accept that. But all the documentation I’ve got says that I own the wall and it’s not part of the highway.”

Mr White also said he has attempted to open dialogue with the developer, including writing directly to its chief executive. He said he would consider selling the land to Lioncourt Homes, but accused the company of avoiding engagement.

Mr White said: “I think they’re just hoping that I go away and obviously I’m determined because I believe in what I’m doing.”

Lioncourt Homes says the wall lies within land required for its approved housing scheme and that its works are being carried out in line with planning permission granted by the relevant authorities. The company says the development site includes land designated for emergency access, intended for use in situations such as flooding.

A spokesperson for the developer said: “Lioncourt Homes is carrying out the works in accordance with the approved planning conditions agreed with the relevant authorities.”

The company also said the works are taking place either on land it wholly owns or on adopted highway land, and that no third-party land is required for the development.

It added that the emergency access arrangements form part of the approved planning conditions for the estate. The developer also said the site was formerly an air fuel depot and had been redundant for many years before being acquired in 2020.

The ongoing dispute has also affected new residents on the adjacent estate. Glen Griffin, who moved into the area in April, said the uncertainty prompted him to seek additional assurances from his solicitor when the issue first emerged.

Mr Griffin said: “I asked the questions, I had numerous discussions with various people. It was all a bit unfortunate.”

Mr Griffin added that he did not believe either party intended to cause difficulties: “I don’t think anyone intended to cause problems or make issues. And I mean that from Roger’s side and from Lioncourt’s side.”