A Devon business owner has taken drastic action after what he describes as years without receiving any financial offer for his property amid a council-run land overhaul.
Tony Joyner, owner of Plants Galore near Newton Abbot, erected two large signs on land subject to a compulsory purchase order in an act of protest.
He said he had been "incredibly patient", but felt the signs represented his sole means of making his voice heard.
The dispute centres on a portion of Mr Joyner's land required by Devon County Council for its major A382 road improvement scheme.
"It feels like nobody is treating it as urgent as it doesn't stop their plans," Mr Joyner said, "my only way of protesting is to put the signs up."
He maintains he has "never received a financial offer" for the land, and Devon County Council declined to comment on the matter.
The origins of this dispute stretch back some 16 years to 2010, when Mr Joyner had just obtained planning permission for a prospective six-bedroom luxury family home on the contested plot, before learning of the compulsory purchase order.
He claims he was advised against constructing the property, as it would be excluded from any compensation settlement.
The dispute centres on land required by Devon County Council for its major A382 road improvement scheme
|DEVON COUNCIL
This prompted the Joyner family to relocate to his parents' residence in 2014, where they constructed temporary accommodation - expecting payment to arrive shortly.
Following a decade there, they ultimately moved to Torquay last year.
"I've had three children since this all began," Mr Joyner said, adding that his father, aged 75 when the saga commenced, passed away recently at 91 without witnessing any resolution.
The contested plot measures approximately 613 square metres, roughly equivalent to 0.15 acres.
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Land agents Stags took over Mr Joyner's case around eight months ago, and the business owner said paperwork had been received by his agent since the protest signs appeared.
A notice to treat and notice of entry were reportedly issued in January 2024, permitting phone cable works on the site.
Towards the close of 2024, instructions allegedly emerged to advance negotiations with the aim of agreeing compensation, though Mr Joyner alleges there have been "deliberate delays".
Apart from two on-site meetings with representatives during works, he claims he has "never been invited to discuss a financial offer - ever".
Tony Joyner erected two large signs on land subject to a compulsory purchase order in an act of protest
|PLANTS GALORE
Mr Joyner said he "wanted a sensible outcome".
The land forms part of a broader highways upgrade for the A382, encompassing the area at Forches Cross where the Joyners' business operates.
Funding complications arose in late 2024 when the Department for Transport deferred major road network scheme funding ahead of that year's general election.
Devon County Council submitted a revised business case in March 2025, which received DfT approval in July, enabling construction to commence in autumn of that year.
The scheme involves widening the carriageway between Stover and Forches Cross to boost capacity, reduce congestion and enhance safety, alongside new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and a roundabout north of Forches Cross.
Other affected landowners identified in 2015 documentation include Stover School, Stover Country Park, Stover Golf Club, mining company Sibelco, private residents and local farmers.
The golf course relocated several holes as a result of the works.