Lottery winner drops dispute over 3ft-wide strip of land
The lottery winner at the centre of a boundary dispute over a strip of land has dropped his threat to take the matter to court.
Tom Naylor became the Black Country'??s biggest ever lottery winner when he won £15.5 million in 2001.
The former lorry driver from Wednesbury used some of his windfall to buy a £375,000 barn conversion near Wheaton Aston in Staffordshire, but he has ended up in a squabble with his neighbours over the placement of a boundary fence.
Last month the 58-year-old declared court was '??the only option available'?? in his effort to resolve the dispute, but now he says he hopes to avoid that course of action.
£15m Wednesbury Lottery winner in dispute over 3ft strip of land
Speaking outside his Acorns Farm home, Mr Naylor said: "??I am hopeful we can sort this out without having to go to court. My solicitor is looking at ways to sort out the problem without it going that far."
The row, which kicked off two years ago, involves a strip of land skirting the south side of Mr Naylor'??s property measuring 3ft wide and 500ft long.
Sections of the disputed area are owned by neighbouring businesses Weston Motor Company, Stafford Motor Homes and Cafe India, but Mr Naylor claims his boundary fence is in the wrong place.
Zillar Rahman, who owns the Cafe India restaurant, said Mr Naylor attempted to seize a section of his land last year by putting up a wire fence.
He also said he has been bombarded with letters from Mr Naylor's solicitor demanding he give up the disputed land.
Mr Rahman confirmed his solicitor had received a letter from Mr Naylor'??s representatives stating the millionaire would not be issuing legal proceedings.
But the 39-year-old remains adamant Mr Naylor'??s claims on the land are unfounded.
"??He is asking me to enter into mediation,"? he said.
"??But I am clear the land belongs to me and will be commissioning a surveyors report to prove it."
