Latest news with #GeorgeDexter
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
English town's war over ‘Berlin Wall 2' takes ANOTHER twist after 6ft concrete barrier ‘cut off' locals
A mysterious local had smashed a hole in the wall WALL AND PEACE English town's war over 'Berlin Wall 2' takes ANOTHER twist after 6ft concrete barrier 'cut off' locals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ENGLISH town's war over "Berlin Wall 2" has taken another twist after the 6ft concrete barrier has now been "cut off" to locals. The towering wall built between the Kendalls Lane estates in Okehampton, Devon, had left residents stunned by its imposing presence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Devon's 'Berlin Wall' saga has taken another dramatic twist Credit: Devon County Council 2 A tall fence has been installed around the dismantled wall Credit: Devon County Council The 6ft wall had cut off a walking route used by locals to get their children to the primary school. One resident revealed that the wall prevented her husband from getting through, as he uses a mobility scooter. However, tensions between locals and the council have reached new heights after a mystery resident rented a JCB digger and smashed a hole in the wall. This came as welcome news to residents, with the gap wide enough for pushchairs and mobility scooters to pass through. However, earlier this month, there were reports that the owners had allegedly dismantled the wall and scattered the bricks across the path to block access. A tall fence was also installed around the dismantled wall to block access once again. Councillor George Dexter, of West Devon Borough Council, North Ward, told DevonLive: "This was done (on June 11) without warning after the children from the estate had gone to school, so they have to make a long detour to go home. "I was told that St James' school had to inform the parents to allow them to leave early." The councillor previously explained that the issue with the narrow strip of land is that it sits on a ransom strip connected to nearby privately owned land. This means using the road as a path is technically trespassing. I thought Trump was only building walls in America A local said online Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon's Borough Council's Lead Member for Planning & Built Environment, revealed that the "work carried out, happened on the day of the Temporary Stop Notice, which prevents such work, expired". And that they were "now considering the implications for further Planning Enforcement action". Residents had compared the structure to the infamous Berlin Wall, which fell with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The structure was even covered in graffiti reading "Berlin Wall Mk 2", prompting the council to issue an Enforcement Notice last month, warning the owner to remove it or face action. "I thought Trump was only building walls in America!" one local wrote online. Other residents said it changed the feel of the area, with some joking that "watchtowers" would be added next. West Devon Borough issued an Enforcement Notice ordering the removal of the unauthorised structure between the two housing estates. The landowner appealed, but the council told the Planning Inspectorate that the 6ft wall should be demolished. It comes after a disastrous newbuild estate is set to get more homes despite being unfinished for five years and cut off by two landslides. And a furious mum-of-two says she is being 'treated like a criminal' after 'stuck up' neighbours complained about a double-decker bus parked on her drive.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
English town's war over ‘Berlin Wall 2' takes ANOTHER twist after 6ft concrete barrier ‘cut off' locals
AN ENGLISH town's war over "Berlin Wall 2" has taken another twist after the 6ft concrete barrier has now been "cut off" to locals. The towering wall built between the Kendalls Lane estates in Okehampton, Devon, had left residents stunned by its imposing presence. 2 2 The 6ft wall had cut off a walking route used by locals to get their children to the primary school. One resident revealed that the wall prevented her husband from getting through, as he uses a mobility scooter. However, tensions between locals and the council have reached new heights after a mystery resident rented a JCB digger and smashed a hole in the wall. This came as welcome news to residents, with the gap wide enough for pushchairs and mobility scooters to pass through. However, earlier this month, there were reports that the owners had allegedly dismantled the wall and scattered the bricks across the path to block access. A tall fence was also installed around the dismantled wall to block access once again. Councillor George Dexter, of West Devon Borough Council, North Ward, told DevonLive: "This was done (on June 11) without warning after the children from the estate had gone to school, so they have to make a long detour to go home. "I was told that St James' school had to inform the parents to allow them to leave early." The councillor previously explained that the issue with the narrow strip of land is that it sits on a ransom strip connected to nearby privately owned land. This means using the road as a path is technically trespassing. Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon's Borough Council's Lead Member for Planning & Built Environment, revealed that the "work carried out, happened on the day of the Temporary Stop Notice, which prevents such work, expired". And that they were "now considering the implications for further Planning Enforcement action". Residents had compared the structure to the infamous Berlin Wall, which fell with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The structure was even covered in graffiti reading " Berlin Wall Mk 2", prompting the council to issue an Enforcement Notice last month, warning the owner to remove it or face action. "I thought Trump was only building walls in America!" one local wrote online. Other residents said it changed the feel of the area, with some joking that "watchtowers" would be added next. West Devon Borough issued an Enforcement Notice ordering the removal of the unauthorised structure between the two housing estates. The landowner appealed, but the council told the Planning Inspectorate that the 6ft wall should be demolished. And a furious mum-of-two says she is being 'treated like a criminal' after 'stuck up' neighbours complained about a double-decker bus parked on her drive.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Great Wall of Devon' landowner wages war with neighbours AGAIN after building six foot concrete barrier to block locals
After blocking parents and schoolchildren with a 'dangerous' six-foot concrete barrier, developers have struck again in a fresh attempt to completely cut off the route. The 2-meter concrete barrier, which was hastily and mysteriously erected over the Easter holidays, stopped residents from getting their children to St James Primary School in Oklehampton, Devon. It was built between two housing estates which developers said was private land, warning those who passed through were 'trespassing'. Since then, the wall dubbed by locals as the 'Berlin Wall' has been broken up by a mysterious have-a-go hero in a rented JCB. A gap was left big enough for push chairs, bikes and mobility scooters to get through the two housing estates in Kellands Lane. However, in a latest twist, the wall has been completely dismantled and the blocks have been spread across the path in a fresh attempt to impede a way through. A tall fence has also been put up around the blocks to entirely cut off the pathway. Leander Developments has said the 'temporary' fencing is for 'insurance purposes' as they are 'required to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass across our land'. Councillor George Dexter, of West Devon Borough Council, North Ward, told Devon Live: 'This was done without warning after the children from the estate had gone to school, so they have to make a long detour to go home. 'I was told that St James school had to inform the parents to allow them to leave early.' The councillor previously revealed that the problem with the thin stretch of land is that it is located on a ransom strip from a nearby stretch of privately owned land. Therefore, any use of the road as a thoroughfare is technically trespassing. He explained: 'There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it. 'A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. 'Last week a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice.' In April, West Devon Borough Council issued an enforcement notice ordering Leander Developments to remove the unauthorised structure dubbed by locals as the ' Berlin Wall'. The landowner appealed the notice and the council advised the Planning Inspectorate dealing with the appeal that the block structure be removed. Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon's Borough Council's Lead Member for Planning & Built Environment, said: 'Our Planning Enforcement Team were made aware that the structure at Kellands Lane had been replaced by Heras Fencing and included a larger area enclosed by the Heras Fencing. 'Our Enforcement Team has been to visit the site to take further photographs and measurements. 'They have confirmed that work carried out, happened on the day of the Temporary Stop Notice, which prevents such work, expired. 'We are now considering the implications for further Planning Enforcement action.' An enforcement notice is used when development is carried out without the necessary planning permission. The notice tells the person receiving it what they have done wrong, what must be done to put it right and the timescale within which that must be done. Locals have previously shared their fears over the landowner appealing the enforcement notice. When MailOnline visited the estate in April, half of the wall had been demolished, with blocks lying scattered on the ground. Cllr Dexter said: 'It's a big deal for these people. Why have they done it? Locals think it's down to proposed developments in the field next door to it. 'They think the developers are using their ownership of the ransom strip to get a better deal with their application.' Nearby residents have described it as 'really dangerous' and expressed delight when it was initially knocked down. 'Nobody knew why it was put up', says Dana Green, 40, 'I moved here seven years ago and there was a hedge which died. 'Then they put up this huge wall and the kids have been crawling underneath the gaps. 'It's really dangerous.' Roy Hopkinson lives right next to the hated wall. 'It's been mental,' he concedes, 'I don't know why they've put it there. 'It does look like the Berlin Wall, It made the neighbourhood a lot quieter, people were joking that there would soon be watchtowers installed. 'Everyone was grateful to the person that knocked it down.' 'My husband can't get through it as she uses a mobility scooter', said Verity Warren, 'I can't believe they just whacked it up. It used to be a load of dirt but then they made a new path when the school was opened. 'Nothing happens for ages and then there's a bloody great wall built. 'Why didn't they just put some bollards down!' Keith Monnax told MailOnline he had originally made the path through the mud. He said: 'I saw them putting the wall up and thought it was a bit harsh. But then they came and knocked it down anyway. 'What happens now? It's petty and all about land, but nobody knows where it will go from here.' A spokesman for Leander Developments said: 'The land is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way - anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass. 'The recently erected temporary fencing is for insurance purposes, as we are required to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass across our land. 'Around March this year, Google Maps started showing a path across the land, so we have no choice but to take steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land, to comply with the terms of our insurance policy. 'Previously, this piece of land was blocked off, but members of the public removed a section of the hedge to create a path, without permission, which has caused this issue. 'We installed a temporary block wall under Permitted Development Rights, but the Council issued an Enforcement Notice on the grounds of design, which we are appealing through the Planning Inspectorate. 'As an unknown member of the public partially destroyed the temporary block wall with a digger and rendered it unsafe, we have had to dismantle the rest of the wall on health and safety grounds. 'We have a Construction Management Plan, approved by West Devon Borough Council, which allows fencing in this location. 'The fencing will be in place until the appeal is determined, and a permanent solution can be agreed with West Devon Borough Council. 'On 6th January 2023 (two and a half years ago) we had a meeting, on site, with two Directors of the Council, the local member, and the then Leader of the Council to discuss a long-term solution to complete the Kellands Lane connection. 'After the meeting, no further action was taken by West Devon Borough Council. 'We remain willing to work towards resolving this issue, and completing the road connection, but West Devon Borough Council do need to engage with us to enable this to happen.'
Metro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Mystery after 6ft wall dividing estate called 'Berlin Wall 2' is knocked down
A frustrated local has bulldozed part of a wall dubbed the 'Berlin Wall 2′ after it appeared between two estates. A massive wall was erected between the Kellands Lane estates in Okehampton, Devon, leaving residents shocked by the imposing structure. People said it looks like the infamous wall dividing East and West Berlin, which was eventually torn down during the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was sprayed with graffiti saying 'Berlin Wall Mk 2,' and the council issued an Enforcement Notice on April 25 telling the owner to take it down by May 27 or officials would do so. One local said online: 'I thought Trump was only building walls in America!' You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The row has now escalated after a mystery local rented a JCB digger and knocked down part of the wall to make a hole. One resident said: 'I don't know why they've put it there. 'It does look like the Berlin Wall, It made the neighbourhood a lot quieter, people were joking that there would soon be watchtowers installed. 'Everyone was grateful to the person that knocked it down.' Councillor George Dexter said the problem is that the land sits on a 'ransom strip' near privately owned land. This means anyone going through the strip of land is technically committing trespass. He said: 'There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it. 'A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. 'Last week a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice.' Another resident said the wall means her husband can't get through it as he uses a mobility scooter. Councillor Caroline Mott, the lead member for planning and the built environment at West Devon Borough Council, told Devon Live: 'The Council has taken action to have the structure removed and hope the inconvenience to the community will be resolved as a matter of urgency.' The developer of the private land said the incident, which happened on April 17, has been reported to the police. A spokesman for Leander Developments said: 'The land in question is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way across this land – this isn't a question of inconvenience to the public, as anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass. 'To date, we have received a stop notice, but not an enforcement notice. 'The recently erected temporary structure, on our land, was done for public safety and insurance purposes as Google Maps has started to show a right of way across this private land. 'Our insurance requires us to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass, and Google now showing this as a right of way could invalidate our insurance, unless we can demonstrate that we have taken positive steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land. 'On Thursday 17th April, a member of the public, with a digger, caused criminal damage by driving through this temporary structure. This has been filed with the police who have raised a crime number. More Trending 'We would recommend members of the public stay away from this structure as we cannot guarantee its integrity following this attack, and the stop notice served by the Council prevents us from undertaking any remedial work. 'To safeguard our insurance, we considered it our right under permitted developments to erect a temporary structure, and it is disappointing that Council is taking measures which allow trespassing to continue, despite making them aware that this was for insurance purposes.' The developer said it met with council officers at the site in January 2023, but 'no further action was taken by West Devon Borough Council,' adding that it was willing to work towards a 'long-term solution' but the council 'do need to engage with us.' We approached the council and the police for a comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Outstanding' father who was attacked with acid dies in hospital MORE: This is how much money you should have left in the bank after buying a home MORE: What I Own: At 26, I own two homes — I didn't see my flat in person before buying it
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The Great Wall of Devon! Inside landowner's battle with neighbours and council after building six foot concrete barrier to block locals
Frustrated parents and locals living next to an eyesore 2-meter concrete barrier have likened it to 'The Berlin Wall' and expressed delight that it was knocked down by a mysterious have-a-go hero in a rented JCB. The structure, which was hastily and mysteriously erected over the Easter holidays, completely cut off a walking route used by residents to get their children to St James Primary School in Oklehampton, Devon. West Devon Borough Council have now issued an enforcement notice ordering Leander Developments to remove the unauthorised structure dubbed by locals as the 'Berlin Wall' between the two housing estates in Kellands Lane. However, residents fear that should the decision be appealed, the wall could be built again prompting mad speculation as to the intentions of the landowners. When MailOnline visited the estate this week half of the wall had been demolished, with blocks lying scattered on the ground. Councillor George Dexter revealed that the problem with the thin stretch of land is that it is located on a ransom strip from a nearby stretch of privately owned land. Therefore any use of the road as a thoroughfare is technically trespassing. He explained: 'There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it. 'A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. 'Last week a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice.' An enforcement notice is used when development is carried out without the necessary planning permission. The notice tells the person receiving it what they have done wrong, what must be done to put it right and the timescale within which that must be done. There is a right of appeal against enforcement notices and locals fear this could be enacted. George continued: 'It's a big deal for these people. Why have they done it? Locals think its down to proposed developments in the field next door to it. 'They think the developers are using their ownership of the ransom strip to get a better deal with their application.' Naturally, the community has been staunchly against the new wall. 'Nobody knew why it was put up', says Dana Green, 40, 'I moved here seven years ago and there was a hedge which died. 'Then they put up this huge wall and the kids have been crawling underneath the gaps. 'It's really dangerous.' Roy Hopkinson lives right next to the hated wall. 'It's been mental', he concedes, 'I don't know why they've put it there. 'It does look like the Berlin Wall, It made the neighbourhood a lot quieter, people were joking that there would soon be watchtowers installed. 'Everyone was grateful to the person that knocked it down.' 'My husband can't get through it as she uses a mobility scooter' said Verity Warren, 'I can't believe they just whacked it up. It used to be a load of dirt but then they made a new path when the school was opened. 'Nothing happens for ages and then there's a bloody great wall built. 'Why didn't they just put some bollards down!' Keith Monnax told MailOnline he had originally made the path through the mud. He said: 'I saw them putting the wall up and thought it was a bit harsh. But then they came and knocked it down anyway. 'What happens now? It's petty and all about land, but nobody knows where it will go from here.' A spokesman for Leander Developments said: 'The land in question is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way across this land - this isn't a question of inconvenience to the public, as anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass. 'To date, we have received a stop notice, but not an enforcement notice. 'The recently erected temporary structure, on our land, was done for public safety and insurance purposes as Google Maps has started to show a right of way across this private land. 'Our insurance requires us to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass, and Google now showing this as a right of way could invalidate our insurance, unless we can demonstrate that we have taken positive steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land. 'On Thursday 17th April, a member of the public, with a digger, caused criminal damage by driving through this temporary structure. This has been filed with the police who have raised a crime number. 'We would recommend members of the public stay away from this structure as we cannot guarantee its integrity following this attack, and the stop notice served by the Council prevents us from undertaking any remedial work. 'To safeguard our insurance, we considered it our right under permitted developments to erect a temporary structure, and it is disappointing that Council is taking measures which allow trespassing to continue, despite making them aware that this was for insurance purposes. 'On 6th January 2023 (nearly two and a half years ago) we had a meeting, on site, with two Directors of the Council, the local member, and the then Leader of the Council to discuss a long-term solution to complete the Kellands Lane connection. 'After the meeting, no further action was taken by West Devon Borough Council. We remain willing to work towards a long-term solution to complete the road connection, but West Devon Borough Council do need to engage with us to enable this to happen.'
