THE National Assembly is to help residents of a Gwent village who are fighting demands of thousands of pounds from a feudal lord to gain access to their homes.

Homeowners in Peterstone have formed a group and are fighting the claims of Cardiff businessman Mark Roberts, who holds the title Lord Marcher of Trellech.

Mr Roberts is claiming ownership of Broadstreet Com mon, a plot of land which lies at the heart of the village, and is demanding a one-off payment from residents who cross the land to gain access to their homes.

Now the Assembly has moved to extend regulations already in place in England which will cap the maximum demands for payment at two percent of the value of the their homes.

The current demands vary between a quarter of a percent and nine percent, depending on the age of the property.

The Peterstone group has pledged financial support to a group in Berkshire which is taking a similar fight to the House of Lords.

The Assembly is set to introduce new regulations to Wales to cap the claims at two per cent, costing residents around £4,000 each.

Last night the National Assembly's Environment, Planning and Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones said: "The draft regulations provide for people who have, for many years, driven across common and other land to get to their premises, to obtain a statutory easement giving them the same rights that they would have acquired through prescription, had it not been an offence to drive across the land."

Mr Jones added that the new regulations would also apply to the Peterstone residents, even though they had already received their demands.

Peterstone resident Ruth Winstanley said: "We are really thrilled that the Assembly has reacted so quickly."

Newport council is also set to dispute Mr Roberts' claims, by maintaining that sections of Broadstreet Common are actually designated highways. Newport West AM Rosemary Butler said: "I have been in consultation with Carwyn Jones about this matter and he has found he can introduce the same rules that apply in England to Wales.

"This will mean that the top rate that can be charged for access will be two percent rather than nine."