POLICE were called in after a dispute over a wall boiled over.

Residents clambered on top of the century-old two metre-high wall at the end of Markham Crescent, The Groves, after workmen began demolishing part of it yesterday.

They brought work to a halt as police and council officers investigated whether the demolition could go ahead.

Architect Matthew Laverack said the wall, which runs parallel to the boundary of his property in neighbouring Eldon Street, with a little-used alleyway in between, belongs to him.

Council planners have confirmed the authority does not own it.

He wants to replace part of it with iron railings which he claims will improve security and increase light to the ground floor of his property.

But people living nearby argue the ownership of the wall is as yet unknown, and want the council to adopt and protect it.

They brought together a petition and 12 letters of objection to block a recent planning application for the railings.

They want to preserve the old wall and believe opening it up will create extra access to the street and encourage crime.

Illustrator Jonathan Clark, 45, who lives several doors away, said there were very strong feelings on the issue.

He said: "We believe if it was replaced with railings it would compromise the security of a street, which has enjoyed a very low level of crime.

"It's more than 100 years old. Crime is our main concern, but the new railings would also be completely out of character for our street."

But Mr Laverack, who has converted the former barn into two flats, described the residents' argument as "codswallop".

He said: "Planning permission is not required to remove a section of the wall but it is needed to erect the railings.

"All I want to do is put in the railings to increase security and get light into the ground floor. It's in their interests as much as mine.

"All this stuff is a load of bunkum. Railings are a common sight in The Groves."

In August, Mr Laverack submitted a planning application to replace part of the wall with railings, but it was turned down because councillors felt they would be inappropriate and increase the fear of crime.

In a report, planning officer Sarah Mustill said the wall is not owned by the council and does not form any part of a title deed held at the Land Registry.

She said Mr Laverack has submitted paperwork to claim possession of the wall, backed by records of usage and maintenance.

A second planning application for the railings has been submitted and will be decided later this year.

A City of York Council spokeswoman, said: "This is essentially a private matter between residents of Markham Crescent and Mr Laverack.

"We would hope that any disagreements could be settled amicably between the residents and Mr Laverack.

The stand-off lasted for about an hour.

Updated: 10:07 Thursday, October 27, 2005