Briton hires round-the-clock security guards to protect wall at centre of bitter planning row

A homeowner in Gloucestershire is spending £4,500 each month on round-the-clock security guards to protect a small wall from being destroyed.

Roger White claims his father built the wall, which stands at just two bricks tall, on land he owns.

He fears developer Lioncourt Homes will knock it down as part of a housing scheme.

The wall sits on what the developer's approved planning application designated as emergency access to a new estate in Hempsted.

"I've taken steps to protect my dwarf wall by having security company Glevum Security keeping around the clock watch on the wall to make sure they don't just demolish it," Mr White said.

He says he holds land registry documentation and a 1974 memo confirming the wall was never adopted as part of the highway to back him up.

Security personnel have been stationed at the site for two months, with Mr White indicating the guards may even stay for several more.

"If somebody showed me a piece of paper that said I was in the wrong, then I would accept that," he said.

"I wouldn't waste my time on this, but all the documentation I've got says that I own the wall and it's not part of the highway."

The homeowner has, however, indicated he would be open to selling the land to Lioncourt Homes.

"I think they're just hoping that I go away and obviously I'm determined because I believe in what I'm doing," he added.

Mr White claims Lioncourt Homes has ignored his correspondence, including a letter he sent directly to the chief executive seeking dialogue.

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A spokesman for Lioncourt Homes said: "The works required to implement our planning permission are on land wholly owned by Lioncourt Homes or on adopted highway land.

"No third-party land is required."

The spokesman added: "Lioncourt Homes is carrying out the works in accordance with the approved planning conditions agreed with the relevant authorities."

The firm said the development includes works at emergency access points, forming part of approved access arrangements for the site.

Lioncourt acquired the former air fuel depot, which had been unused for many years, in 2020.

The ongoing dispute has affected people purchasing homes on the new estate.

Glen Griffin moved into a neighbouring road in April and held additional conversations with his solicitor when news of the row first emerged in 2025.

"I asked the questions, I had numerous discussions with various people. It was all a bit unfortunate," he said.

Griffin also contacted planners to ease his concerns before completing his purchase.

"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," he added.