A BIZARRE wrangle over access rights in a North Yorkshire village will be settled when homeowners stump up a fee - to drive into their own properties.

Residents at Sutton-on-the-Forest are only "six to eight weeks away" from learning how much they will have to fork out to park their cars on their driveways.

People who live on the village's Main Street and part of York Road will be charged to access the grassed areas of common land that front their homes.

The ruling came to light after the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 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.

Villagers were first informed of the developments last October, but following a series of meetings, they are shortly to learn how much they are to be charged.

Parish council clerk Dr Derek Jacobs said villagers were resigned to paying the charge.

He said surveyors were about to look at the properties affected and calculate how much residents could expect to pay for an "easement" - the right to cross another person's land for a specified purpose.

Dr Jacobs said: "The Lord of the Manor has made a small concession on the rates. We have come to an agreement with him.

"A nominated surveyor will attend the village to value the properties. That will all be done in one day instead of individual valuations.

"There have been a number of meetings over the past few months. I would imagine that there will be more meetings to come.

"There doesn't appear to be any way out of it and we recognise that. We think a charge may be applied in about six to eight weeks time."

In October, Sir George said he would take each case on its individual merits. Today, he did not wish to comment.

Updated: 08:42 Tuesday, April 01, 2003