Berlin Wall in garden breaches planning rules

A man who sited a section of the Berlin Wall in his south London garden may be forced to remove it, after complaints from neighbours.

Steven Thorpe said he bought a chunk of the historic wall in Siggelkow, Germany before bringing it home, hoping to preserve it.

After installing it by his house in Herne Hill, Thorpe received a notice from Southwark Council describing it as "unauthorised building works" that were illegal without planning permission.

The property developer said he did not think he needed permission to put an "artwork" in his garden, but said he was now working "constructively" with the local authority.

Thorpe told the BBC he dug a pit to house the 12ft (3.6m) structure to minimise its impact, with the wall now sitting 10ft (3.1m) above ground.

He also planted greenery around it to soften his neighbours' view, he said.

But in a letter from the council dated 2 July, Thorpe was told the "building works" were "unacceptable" and an enforcement notice would be served.

It said the installation harmed a neighbouring property because of its "overbearing scale, oppressive sense of enclosure and stark industrial appearance".

The notice warned Thorpe he could face a fine of up to £20,000 if he did not successfully seek planning permission.

Thorpe said it was disappointing to receive the notice.

"I didn't think I needed permission to put an artwork in my own garden. I don't consider it to be building works, I consider it to be an installation of a piece of historical architecture and art.

"I was hoping to preserve a piece of history."

"The majority of people seem to very impressed by it.

"Some of the neighbours have been very supportive, bringing their children around to have a look at it and their grandchildren in a couple of cases."

Thorpe said he had also been planning to open his garden to the public to the public later this year so more people can see it and learn about it.

Thorpe said he had invited a planning officer from Southwark Council to view the wall, as well as a representative of the local landowner the Dulwich Estate.

"I look forward to meeting them next week and hopefully they will agree with me and will let me keep it," he said.

Thorpe told the BBC he bought the section of wall after making regular visits to Berlin to play rugby in the late 1980s.

"Standing beside the Wall, knowing that the Soviet observation posts were looking across at us from the other side, brought home just how real the Cold War was.

"I returned to Berlin in 1989 just after it came down and watching a city reunite and seeing one of the greatest symbols of division disappear was an unforgettable experience.

"I suppose it remains one of the defining moments of my lifetime."

A Southwark Council spokesperson said: "We have received a planning complaint about a section of wall installed in Dulwich.

"We will investigate the complaint and take any appropriate action in line with the national planning process."

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