Private road residents apply to Land Registry to block council access to building site

Epsom residents are attempting to block the local council's access to a site where it plans to build temporary housing, the BBC has reported.

It said Epsom & Ewell Borough Council had planning consent for three temporary homes at a former builder's yard, awarded despite objections from nearby residents.

They have asked HM Land Registry to consider an application to prevent the council accessing the yard on the grounds that the road is privately owned, according to the BBC.

The council claimed right of way based on long-term use by the site's previous occupant Adrian Giles.

Objectors claim he forfeited access when he moved his business from the road and handed the land back to the council in 2016.

Debbie Ransome, who lives next to the site, told the BBC the project would be “detrimental to hundreds of school kids” who use the road.

Planning committee chair Stephen McCormick said in a statement that the council in November 2024 approved a planning application for the three new homes, making use of brownfield land.

He said: “The homes will contribute to the borough’s temporary housing availability and will be used to house local families at risk of homelessness, allowing them to remain close to schools and local support networks.

“The homes will be prefabricated and fully furnished, designed to be attractive, fitting in with the outlook of the area, and will provide a safe, welcoming, and energy-efficient space for three families.”

Mr McCormick said the council followed Land Registry processes when gaining planning consent and “remains confident in its position [and] refutes any further allegations.”

Mark Smulian