Attempt to stop council accessing proposed housing

Residents claim the council doesn't have access rights on the privately owned street

Epsom residents are attempting to block a council's access to a site where it plans to build temporary housing.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council obtained planning consent to build three temporary homes at a former builder's yard on Fairview Road in November despite objections from the street's residents.

HM Land Registry is now considering residents' application to prevent the council accessing the yard on the grounds that the road is privately owned.

Steven McCormick, who chairs the council's planning committee, said the local authority "remains confident" it has the right to access the site.

The council applied for right of way on the street in September, based on the long-term use by the site's previous occupant Adrian Giles.

Anyone can claim access rights if they have used a route for 20 years without requiring permission or using force, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Debbie Ransome, who lives next to the site, claims Mr Giles forfeited access when he moved his business from the road and handed the land back to the council in 2016.

Mr Giles has declined to comment.

Ms Ransome, a long-time opponent of the homes project, added that it would be "detrimental to hundreds of school kids" who use the road as a cut through to the nearby Glyn School.

Pedestrian safety concerns were discussed by councillors before the planning application for the houses was approved, according to McCormick.

He said the development will "allow the council to house local families facing homelessness within the borough, close to schools and local support networks".

He added: "The council has followed the process laid out by the Land Registry.

"Residents have challenged the Land Registry's decision, but the council remains confident in its position. The council refutes any further allegations."

A Land Registry spokesperson said it was unable to comment on whether or not the council could legally access the site from Fairview Road.