Steve Ogier from Guernsey applied for planning permission to build a single-storey eco-home on a plot of land approximately 150ft by 50ft. He was told that permission would be refused as the land was not in an area allocated for housing. After the planning permission was denied, things began to take an interesting turn.
Mr Ogier declared that the land was an independent state, named Everland, and announced himself as sovereign ruler. He then took the planning dispute to Guernsey's Royal Court, claiming nobody could stop him from building on the land because he was a sovereign ruler of the newly declared independent state.
In his argument in court, Mr Ogier cited the 1933 Montevideo Convention which sets out four criteria of statehood. It states that a state must have a permanent population, a Government, a defined territory and the capacity to enter into relations with other nations. Although it does not have a resident population, Mr Ogier stated that Everland had five citizens currently residing elsewhere.
The judge, however, disagreed with the case, partly because the plot of land did not have a population.
Although Mr Ogier admits that the case is comical, Guernsey's Government is taking it seriously and has applied for an injunction to prevent him from carrying out work on the land as it is firmly within the jurisdiction of the state of Guernsey.
This, however, has not stopped Mr Ogier pursuing his claim. He has promised not to build on the land, at least until he can prove that Everland is now an independent country.
Mr Ogier said, "I've sent an email to the United Nations and I'm awaiting confirmation. 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 intend to fight my corner and defend myself in the courts."
