A real estate developer acquired a segment of the Berlin Wall, leading to a dispute reminiscent of the Cold War in England. Steve Thorpe, aged 65, bought a part of the historic Berlin Wall that used to separate the German capital before reunification. He brought the 3.1-meter piece to his residence in Dulwich, located in south-east London, and positioned it in his backyard. However, a neighbor raised concerns with the Southwark Council, citing the lack of planning permission for the installation.
Following the complaint, an inquiry was initiated to determine the wall’s legitimacy to remain in place. The large concrete slab, visible from the street, was imported to the UK by Mr. Thorpe to preserve a piece of significant history.
In his statement, Mr. Thorpe mentioned that the original piece he desired was unavailable, as it was slated for an exhibition at the Brandenburg Gate. He later found a different section adorned with graffiti that he believed would be a suitable addition to his garden.
Acquiring the wall was only the initial step, as transporting it to the UK and installing it in the garden posed significant challenges. Mr. Thorpe explained, “It took a considerable amount of effort to bring it here. We had to secure export and import licenses, but we succeeded. Due to its weight, we had to devise a method to transport it and utilize various machinery and winches to maneuver it through the garden.” Despite the painstaking process, not all neighbors appreciated the endeavor, with one formally objecting that planning permission was necessary for the wall.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson from the Southwark Council stated, “We have received a planning complaint regarding a wall section installed in Dulwich. We will investigate the complaint and take appropriate action in accordance with national planning regulations.”