An unholy row has broken out over the ownership of a patch of land outside Coverack’s former Methodist church.

Neighbours claim they have been allowed to park outside “for decades” but the owners of the old chapel, now converted into a house, are claiming they own 6ft out into the road and now want to use the land.

St Keverne’s parish councillors were visited by former council member Robin Hobson last week, who warned: “The situation has become a bit acrimonious."

He explained: “When I was vice chairman of the parish council one of my last jobs was to establish who owned the road where people have been parking for decades. I have got a map of the boundary that states highways own it.”

Guesthouse owner Bridget Young also told the council: “We have always parked in the space opposite, which is apparently owned by highways. I run the Boak House bed and breakfast, which I think has been a B&B for 50 years before me, and they always had a spot.”

Council chairman David Lambrick said it was difficult for members to get involved in civil matters.

Member Sarah Lyne agreed: “We can’t get involved in the neighbourhood dispute. However, the highways map clearly shows the highway abuts the wall of the chapel.

“The person who owns the chapel has now built a concrete flower bed at the top and now there’s a flower bed in the process of being made all the way down to the gate. It’s encroaching on the highway more and more and that is an issue for us.

“What happens if he starts encroaching on the other bit of the highway that he thinks is his?”

It was agreed to write to the highways department at Cornwall Council “as a point of urgency,” asking for an officer to visit and look at what members believed to be an “infringement of the highway.”

Cornwall Councillor Walter Sanger was also asked to take up the matter with the department.

A letter will also go to the owners of the former chapel, asking whether they have planning permission for fences that have gone up.