Outside his apartment, gazing at the fence where the harbour used to be, Peter Aitchison's quick to acknowledge he and his wife Sylvia are in a bizarre situation.
The Environment Court has ordered that a fence blocking a million dollar view in Wellington be removed.
Roseneath residents Peter and Sylvia Aitchison had asked the court to consider an order for the fence put up by their neighbour to be removed, or at least lowered.
Today Judge Brian Dwyergave his decision, saying the fence has to be taken down within the next month.
He says the adverse effects of the fence on the Aitchisons are severe, and considered to be offensive and objectionable.
"It was something that we were expecting ... however these things are always a huge, huge relief," Sylvia Aitchison said this afternoon. "It was very much in our favour."
She said the case had been draining, and the couple spent their 56th wedding anniversary in court yesterday.
"We're that exhausted. I just felt completely flat. We'd been in court all week at huge cost and expense."
Mrs Aitchison said the judge ruled the fence could come down within a month but there were possible legal complications relating to yet another court case.
