MALVERN Hills Conservators could be forced to charge householders thousands of pounds to confirm the right to get to their own front doors.

The charge could affect hundreds of homeowners who have to cross Conservator-owned land to get to their houses.

These residents would normally find they have to produce written evidence of a right of way when they come to sell their homes, and the Conservators have not charged.

But in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, there is a section regulating such charges nationally, which is meant to come in to force later this summer.

Board members have agreed to start charging at the rates suggested in "guidance notes" issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Director Ian Rowat said the charges suggested by the DETR were not compulsory, but that the Conservators could get into trouble with the Charity Commission if they decided not to charge at all.

"As trustees, the board members have a duty to act in the best interests of the charity," he said.

Properties where the owner can claim use for at least 20 years before 1925 will not be charged.

Owners of properties built before December 1, 1930, will be charged at one per cent of their home's market value. Ones built after this date will be charged at three per cent.

However, many property owners have had their right of access confirmed in the past by a letter from the Conservators, and they would not need to pay.

After several Conservators expressed concern, the matter was raised again at Tuesday's meeting of the administration and resources committee.

One householder has already been charged about £2,000, but the committee is recommending to the Board, which will discuss the issue on July 12, that he be refunded.

Committee member Martin Cordey suggested the Conservators could write to householders likely to be affected, urging them to have their access confirmed before the new act comes into force.

Herefordshire Council has said it has no intention of altering its current policy, which is to charge only costs for the provision of confirmation of access rights.