A south London homeowner is facing a council investigation after installing a 3.1-metre section of the Berlin Wall in his back garden without planning permission.<\/p>\n
Steven Thorpe, 65, placed the 2.8-tonne concrete slab in his Herne Hill garden earlier this year, describing it as a piece of artwork.<\/p>\n
Thorpe said he had no idea he needed planning consent and now hopes that Southwark Council<\/a> will approve the installation<\/a> retrospectively.<\/p>\n Southwark investigates after Berlin Wall section appears in residential garden (Image: Courtesy Steven Thorpe \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n He said: “Most of my neighbours seem to be very supportive of it. Just as we were finished installing it, we worked all day, at about 9 o\u2019clock at night, it was pouring down with rain, we\u2019d just got in position and [a neighbour] came down and said ‘what\u2019s that?’<\/p>\n “I said ‘it\u2019s a piece of the Berlin Wall’ and he said ‘did you ask permission?’ I said ‘I didn\u2019t think I needed to, it\u2019s a piece of artwork.’ I honestly didn\u2019t realise I needed planning permission.”<\/p>\n But not everyone is happy about the imposing installation.<\/p>\n Homeowner faces council probe after installing Berlin Wall segment (Image: Courtesy Steven Thorpe \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n A complaint from a neighbour has prompted a formal investigation by Southwark Council, which will now assess whether the Berlin Wall segment can remain.<\/p>\n A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “We have received a planning complaint about a section of wall installed in Dulwich.<\/p>\n “We will investigate the complaint and take any appropriate action in line with the national planning process.”<\/p>\n Mr Thorpe, a property developer, acquired the slab from an east German farmer after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989.<\/p>\n Stephen Thorpe with his piece of the Berlin Wall in his garden at his home in Herne Hill London (Image: Courtesy Steven Thorpe \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n He said his friend alerted him that sections of the historic barrier were being sold.<\/p>\n After completing import and export paperwork, Mr Thorpe arranged for the slab to be transported to the UK by lorry and ferry.<\/p>\n He then built a ramp and removed railings to move the concrete from the street and into his garden, where it was installed with the help of scaffolding.<\/p>\n While he claims most neighbours support the unusual structure, others aren\u2019t so impressed.<\/p>\n Berlin Wall section in south London garden sparks planning investigation (Image: Courtesy Steven Thorpe \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n Felix Lord, 19, who is temporarily living with his grandmother on nearby Winterbrook Road, said: “It looks ugly, it looks like a slab of concrete.<\/p>\n “He said it was an art installation, and then when people complained he was asked about it and said it was for the local children or something.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s not, I don\u2019t know what that\u2019s about.<\/p>\n “It just ruins the character and the view of the gardens really.”<\/p>\n Former Berlin Wall piece becomes centre of neighbourhood planning dispute (Image: Courtesy Steven Thorpe \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n Felix said the structure is “just bizarre,” adding: “I don\u2019t know what to think about it.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s pictures of the front, and it\u2019s just sprayed with graffiti and stuff \u2013 it\u2019s quite ugly, though I appreciate that it\u2019s original.”<\/p>\n Olly, 18, who lives next door to Felix, agreed with the criticism.<\/p>\n He said: “It\u2019s just a slab.<\/p>\n “We all agree in the house that it totally ruins the garden, because for us, when we look out into our garden it\u2019s right behind it.”<\/p>\n Despite his irritation, Olly did see value in the structure\u2019s historical significance.<\/p>\n He said: “From a historical point of view, I think it\u2019s bloody sick \u2013 I really like it.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s the height that\u2019s the problem.<\/p>\n “Also, I think there were questions about the safety behind it.”<\/p>\n In a bid to ease tensions, Mr Thorpe said he has planted espalier trees along the back of the wall to eventually block it from view.<\/p>\n He said: “Once they all start growing properly, then I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll be fine and you won\u2019t be able to see it.<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t want to cause an argument.”<\/p>\n Mr Thorpe also hopes to add a historically accurate feature to the structure once planning matters are resolved.<\/p>\n He said: “There used to be a round cement capping on the wall to stop people climbing over it, it was made of asbestos.<\/p>\n “Obviously they\u2019ve all been taken away.<\/p>\n “The one my friend has got, James Hervey-Bathurst has got, has a piece of clay drainage pipe slot in it and put on the top, to make a replica.<\/p>\n “I plan on doing the same thing \u2013 I just haven\u2019t managed to get hold of a great big round piece of drainage pipe yet.<\/p>\n “Because we\u2019re having an issue with the planners, I don\u2019t want to do anything more.”<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/p>\n Mr Thorpe declined to reveal how much he paid for the slice of Cold War history.<\/p>\n He said: “Nah, I\u2019m not telling you.<\/p>\n “No, you can make up your own mind what you think it\u2019s worth.”<\/p>\n He has printed a pamphlet explaining the history of the Berlin Wall segment for curious visitors and says children in the neighbourhood come to see it.<\/p>\n The Berlin Wall was a 155-kilometer (96-mile) barrier built by East Germany in August 1961 to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West.<\/p>\n It stood until November 1989 when a new travel law was mistakenly announced, which saw crowds rush to the border.<\/p>\n The wall was opened under the onslaught of so many people and, ultimately, torn down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A south London homeowner is facing a council investigation after installing a 3.1-metre section of the Berlin 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