HOMEOWNERS in a North Yorkshire village have been stunned to learn they could have to PAY to drive into their own homes.

Residents living in an area of Sutton-on-the-Forest, near Easingwold, may have to stump up a fee to park their cars on their driveways.

The bizarre ruling affects people who live on the village's Main Street, a conservation area, and in part of York Road.

Their houses are fronted by grassed areas registered as common land. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has highlighted the powers of the Lord of the Manor to charge people to drive vehicles across the land.

In exchange for granting permission, the Lord - Sir George Wombwell - is entitled to charge a fee, depending on the age and value of the property.

Householders whose homes date back to before December 31, 1905, face shelling out 0.25 per cent of the value of their homes; those with homes built by November 30, 1930, face bills of 0.5 per cent of the property value; and those with more modern homes may have to find two per cent.

While the landlord has always had the right to charge, it appears the latest Government act has served to highlight this authority.

Villagers were informed of the shock development in a parish council newsletter written by clerk Derek Jacobs.

In it he tells residents that they have until July 2 next year to apply, adding "an early visit to your solicitor is called for, I'm afraid".

He adds: "When house-buyers like me bought their houses a long time ago, it was assumed that, because the crossing had been used for many years an easement was not needed".

Some villagers may already have an 'easement', or a right to cross another person's land for a specified purpose. But many will not and may now have to pay.

When contacted by the Evening Press, Mr Jacobs said: "The people affected should talk to their solicitors - I'm not qualified to give advice on these matters."

Resident Elly Franklin said she felt "very aggrieved" by the issue. She told the Evening Press: "We were notified about it through the parish council and we're waiting for more details.

"Why should it be his right to get money from us when he's got no involvement with the village? It's awful, like something from a Dickens novel."

Another resident, Maria Demkowicz, warned: "There will be real hardship for some people in the village if we're forced to pay it. It seems we're still living in a feudal world - I can't believe it."

Sir George today would not confirm whether he would actually charge people to access his land and get to their drives.

He said: "It is my right. But no-one has applied yet, and we will take it on matter and see what the situation is. We will take each case as it is. I can't really make any further comment."

Sir George lives in the family's ancestral home at Newburgh Priory, on the outskirts of Coxwold, near Easingwold. Originally built in 1145, the priory is rumoured to be the final resting place of the bones of Oliver Cromwell.

In a letter to Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh addressing this situation, rural affairs minister Alun Michael confirmed that landlords already had powers to make these charges.

But he said that the owners of premises did not have to make an application, adding it was for the land owner to decide whether he needed an easement.

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, October 29, 2002