A ROW has broken out between a Malvern couple and a businessman over a stretch of land between their two properties.

The 20-metre stretch of land sits between the home of Peter Walter, of Rothwell Road, and Abbey College, owned by entrepreneur Hekmat Kaveh.

It has been used by Mr Walter and his wife, Tia, since they moved into the property 25 years ago. But about two years ago, Mr Kaveh claimed the land was his when he proposed to erect a fence on the boundary.

Mr and Mrs Walter applied to the Land Registry for adverse possession of the land – an application for ownership of land which is either unregistered or land that is registered but where a squatter was in adverse possession for 10 years, after which time the person who is using the land can apply for ownership.

Recently the application was withdrawn by solicitors handling the matter for Mr and Mrs Walter and Mr Kaveh received a letter stating this and began moving the boundary. But the couple say the application, which is active, was withdrawn only for a matter of days and then resubmitted.

Mr Walter said he cannot believe there is no requirement for notice before workmen turn up as they did at his home on Friday, June 28.

“We called the police because we were horrified somebody could do that without warning,” he said. “About four men turned up with chainsaws and other equipment to cut the hedge down. They couldn’t do anything because he had this letter. We had to watch helplessly as the garden we have loved for 25 years was vandalised.”

Despite these claims Mr Kaveh says he has acted well within his rights. “We are working on our own land,” said the businessman.”