VANDALS have daubed graffiti on a home in Wick which is at the centre of a long-running planning dispute.

Retired GP Michael Cox, owner of the two-bedroom property in Wick House Close, was 'sickened' yesterday when he discovered the words 'built by a corrupt council' scrawled in 18-inch high white paint on the side of his new garage.

A group of villagers have been campaigning since February for the revocation of the building's planning permission, granted by Wychavon District Council. They believe the development, which is being built in Dr Cox's garden, harms the character and appearance of a nearby conservation area.

Dr Cox said: "I am sickened by the incident.

"The police have been informed and I hope they find who did this, but I am not totally confident.

"I am tempted to leave the graffiti there for a while so that everyone can see it."

Campaign leader Edward McMillan-Scott said: "I obviously regret that someone wants to take such direct action but it is nothing to do with the formal objectors.

"The message was against the property but it shows that when people feel strongly about something they resort to what amounts to direct action."

A third ombudsman enquiry into how Wychavon decided to grant planning permission for the house is currently under way.

Two earlier investigations concluded there was no problem with the application process conducted in March 2003.