Human destruction of the foreshore is an issue of national importance and should be tackled by Government, the National Trust said yesterday.

The call comes in the wake of an un-neighbourly row between Peter Perscesky and next door landowner David Williams over a $300,000 seawall being built to protect Mr. Perscesky's home.

Yesterday the Trust also came out against the seawall saying it was carried out with "apparent disregard for the natural beauty and aesthetic quality of the South Shore Environment''.

But the group says it is just one example of what has been done or is planned on South Shore.

Wayne Carey, chairman of the Trust's marine environment committee, said: "The Trust believes that such foreshore encroachment is an issue of national significance.

"It should be afforded a very high priority by the Minister of Environment, Planning and Natural Resources.'' The Trust also wants to meet the Minister, Pam Gordon, about Mr. Perscesky's seawall which he is building after Hurricane Felix ripped off about 30 feet of land in front of his home on Saucos Hill.

Retired geologist Mr. Perscesky was accused of stealing boulders from the shore in front of land owned by Mr. Williams -- an accusation he denies.

He insisted boulders were used from another part of the shore in front of land empty for 20 years and will be replaced once building is finished.

Work on the wall was also started without informing the Planning Department although the situation has been resolved following talks with department's officials.

However the Trust has still condemned the seawall saying the building has affected areas neighbouring Mr. Perscesky's land. It says removing the boulders has exposed cliff faces and embankments and has impacted on protected land.

Mr. Carey added: "Several years ago the Trust was instrumental in pushing for zoning protection of a portion of land immediately west of Mr. Perscesky's property as open space and green space.

`This seawall development has severely affected the physical integrity of a considerable portion of foreshore habitat on both Mr. Perscesky's property and the adjacent property to the west.

"Significantly, a protective boulder field has been completely removed by the development, exposing unstable cliff faces and earth embankments,'' said Mr.

Carey. "The Trust is very concerned that these newly exposed coastal areas, especially on the property adjacent to Mr. Perscesky's, will now undergo a process of continuous erosion during storm conditions.

"This development is most disturbing since it seems to have involved the use of large naturally formed boulders from one shoreline area to protect another, a case of `Environmental robbing of Peter to pay Paul'.

"The Trust will be seeking a meeting with the Environment Minister to see what actions can be taken in regards to this matter,'' said Mr. Carey.