Man denied planning permission takes battle to UN, declaring his land an independent country and himself 'the king'

A father embroiled in a bizarre planning dispute has vowed to take his case to the United Nations (UN) after a Guernsey court rejected his attempt to assert himself as the reigning king of a small of piece of land that he claims is an independent country.

Steve Ogier declared himself the monarch of Everland, the name he has given to the 150ft by 50ft plot on which he wants to build a family home.

Guernsey’s government rejected his planning permission bid for a one-storey eco-home, prompting the 46-year-old to take the dispute to the channel island’s Royal Court.

He argued authorities had no right to stop construction because he was sovereign ruler of the self-declared independent state.

A judge disagreed, ruling earlier this month that his land was not a country – partly because it has no population.

Deputy bailiff Richard McMahon said: “Although there may be an element of absurdity in the way the argument has been developed by Mr Ogier, I take the view that any challenge to the jurisdiction of this court must be taken seriously.”

Mr Ogier bought the land in 2011 and used it for storage before lodging a pre-application enquiry about building the house last year.

He was told permission would be refused because the site falls in an area where new housing development is not allowed.

In retaliation, he declared the land an independent micronation - a self-proclaimed state which is not recognised by world governments. He named Everland after his daughter, Evelyn.

In his submission to the court, Mr Ogier cited the 1933 Montevideo Convention, which sets out the four criteria of statehood: a permanent population; a defined territory; government; and the capacity to enter into relations with the other nations.

He claimed that, although no people lived on the land, it had five citizens who currently resided elsewhere as well as a population of wildlife including insects and worms.

Speaking after the judge ruled against him, Mr Ogier said: “The judge said one man can’t govern himself, [but] I’ve got my daughter as part of the population as well – Princess Evelyn Ogier, she’s eight. I’ve now got a population of five citizens and they’re all voting citizens, that makes them a population.

“No one is resident currently but they have passports and they have a vote.”

Mr Ogier has admitted his case is “comical” but told the Guernsey Press earlier this year it “could have very serious consequences”,

Guernsey’s government, however, does not see the funny side. The island’s Development and Planning Authority has applied for an injunction to prevent Mr Ogier carrying out work on the land.

A government spokesman told The Independent: “The land in question forms within the jurisdiction of the states of Guernsey. A mere declaration does not change that.”

Mr Ogier has promised to halt any work on the house “until I can prove I am an independent country”.

“I’ve sent an email to the United Nations and I’m awaiting confirmation,” he said. ”I’ve explained who I am and I’m waiting to hear whether it’s enough to be considered independent. We’ve got no sports players in Everland so we won’t be entering the World Cup, but we’ll see where it gets.

“I intent to fight my corner and defend myself in the courts.”

Additional reporting by agencies