IT is ironic that New Labour, the arch modernisers, have enshrined in a Millennium act a law which takes us back to feudal times.

For the most part, the Countryside and Rights Of Way Act 2000 is a very good thing. It is opening up rural Britain.

Some stunning landscapes, enjoyed exclusively by the landed classes for centuries, are being returned to the people. The act even forced disgraced millionaire Nicholas van Hoogstraten to reopen a public path on his Sussex estate.

But a by-product of the law is emerging. Villagers in Sutton-on-the-Forest are reeling from the news that they could be forced to pay to drive onto their own property.

The act has confirmed the ancient right of the Lord of the Manor, Sir George Wombwell, to charge for permission to cross his land. The fee is now linked to the value of a householder's property - which could run into thousands of pounds.

All this to travel a few yards over a grass verge.

The implications go far beyond Sutton-on-the-Forest. As this clause in the act becomes known, it could affect residents in many North Yorkshire villages, hitting them in the pocket and potentially reducing the value of their property.

Land-owning councils may even seize the chance to impose the "driveway tax" to boost their coffers.

It is a surreal that Tony Blair, champion of a British meritocracy, has inadvertently revived the power of the Lord of the Manor.

Sir George, seventh baronet in a line that dates from 1778, has not said whether he will invoke his right to cash in.

We hope he, and other landowners like him, will think carefully about doing so.

It is vital that common sense is applied to managing what villagers had previously taken to be common land.

Any sudden demand for thousands of pounds is bound to be challenged in the courts - all the way to the Europe if necessary.

And neither lords nor commoners would want this to descend into another bumper pay day for the lawyers.

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, October 29, 2002