RESIDENTS locked in a row over a disputed wall at the end of their cul-de-sac may have won a compromise.

People in Markham Crescent, The Groves, York, confronted workmen when they began demolishing a small section of the 100-year-old wall last week, and police were called in to keep the peace.

They wanted to keep the wall as it is and feared opening any part of it up would make their street more vulnerable to crime, as it would create a short cut to other areas.

But architect Matthew Laverack, who owns a property behind the wall, wanted to replace a section of it with railings, which he said would increase light to his property and deter criminals.

Now he has offered to remove only the top section of the wall - and replace it with railings to stop people climbing over. He will also put gates at either end of the alleyway on his side of the wall to deter people from walking through.

Steel spikes will be put up on top of the railings and roof ridge tiles on the wall to make it harder to get a foothold.

In a letter to residents, he said: "In consideration of this gesture, I would expect local residents to support the amended planning application and refrain from being abusive towards me."

He said that he did not want to achieve access through Eldon Street, where his property is, to Markham Crescent, and that he did not try and demolish the wall "surreptitiously".

He said it was "not unreasonable" to try and get daylight to the ground floor of his property, and protect it from intruders. He pointed out that both streets have a low level of crime.

Illustrator Jonathan Clark, 45, who lives several doors down from the wall in Markham Crescent, said residents had "reluctantly and cautiously" agreed the plan.

He said: "I think we have got to find a compromise. Originally our concern was that someone could easily climb over the railings.

"We don't want to have a further planning row, so I suppose we are sanguine. Our options had become very limited."

Mr Laverack owns a building behind the wall which has a boundary next to it. He is also claiming prospective ownership of a private alleyway in between the premises and the wall, which he maintains.

City of York Council said it did not own the wall and, according to Land Registry records, it did not appear on the title deeds of any

surrounding buildings.

Planning permission is not required to demolish the wall, but it is needed to replace it with railings. The railings are expected to be discussed at a meeting next month.

Updated: 10:00 Friday, November 04, 2005