An elderly couple say they have been left intimidated and locked out of their home after builders put up a wall blocking their path while they were out seeing friends.
John Gridley, 74, and his wheelchair-bound wife Mavis, 81, say they were left terrified after returning to their cottage in Bridgerule, Devon.
They say a developer built the wall cutting across their entrance and now they can't access their property.
John claims it is no longer possible to get Mavis' wheelchair through the tiny gap that has been left so they have moved out.
The couple have lived at the end-of-terrace for more than 20 years and say they have been left shaken by their ordeal.
Things got so bad that they had to bed a neighbour to "climb" in and pick up some essentials because they are too scared to return.
John told The Sun that his suspicions grew the day before when a car neither of them recognised was parked on their drive.
They claim "ruthless" local developer Lee Lipscombe and his work force came "mobhanded" and begun ripping down the fence outside the next morning.
The pensioner said: "We've had this house for 20 years. It really frightened us. We were totally intimidated.
"I'm an ex-policeman and I was absolutely shaking. My life has been shattered.
"We're both elderly, my wife is in her 80s, and we've simply got to have access to our own home.
"There is nowhere near enough room for pedestrian and wheelchair access."
He added that there is just a "bare metre" from the edge of the wall to the edge of the cottage.
Mirror Online has made attempts to contact Mr Lipscombe for comment.
They were so upset by what happened they moved back to their second home in Ashford, Surrey.
The area outside their property where the wall was built was purchased by the developer in 2020.
The couple confirmed they have referred the matter to the parish council and Devon and Cornwall Police.
But legal experts say the developer could face court if the Gridleys decide to take legal action.
Christopher Bernard, partner at Housing & Property Law Partnership Solicitors, said: "If you go into your house, or anywhere, for more than 20 years then you simply have a right of way.
"They could take Mr Lipscombe to county court to get an order saying the wall should be knocked down."
