Residents have gone to war over a structure dubbed "The Berlin Wall Mk 2" which was created following a Google Maps error.
The row broke out between two housing estates near the junction of Kellands Lane and Long Barton Avenue in Okehampton, Devon.
Google Maps had shown a right of way across land that developers have said is private.
However, after one resident took matters into his own hands and erected the wall, locals said the wall blocked a thoroughfare that was used by families to get to nearby St James Church of England Primary School.
The wall had been built between the two roads
Google Maps
One resident said: "Nobody knew why it was put up. I moved here seven years ago and there was a hedge, which died. Then they put up this huge wall and the kids have been crawling underneath the gaps. It’s really dangerous."
Another added: "I don’t know why they’ve put it there. It does look like the Berlin Wall, it made the neighbourhood a lot quieter."
Former Liberal Democrat councillor on West Devon Borough Council George Dexter said: "There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it.
"A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. Last week, a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice."
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The initial wall set up in 2015
Google Maps
After a concrete wall was erected, one resident used a digger to knock a hole through it.
A spokesman for Leander Developments said: "The land in question is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way across this land, this isn’t a question of inconvenience to the public, as anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass.
"To date, we have received a stop notice, but not an enforcement notice.
"The recently erected temporary structure, on our land, was done for public safety and insurance purposes...Our insurance requires us to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass...unless we can demonstrate that we have taken positive steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land."
The spokesman added "criminal damage" was caused when the wall was partly demolished.
They added: "To safeguard our insurance, we considered it our right under permitted developments to erect a temporary structure, and it is disappointing that council is taking measures which allow trespassing to continue, despite making them aware that this was for insurance purposes.
"On January 6 2023, we had a meeting, on site, with two directors of the council, the local member, and the then-leader of the council to discuss a long-term solution to complete the Kellands Lane connection.
"After the meeting, no further action was taken by West Devon borough council. We remain willing to work towards a long-term solution."
