A group of Surrey residents claim the safety of hundreds of pedestrians is at risk if a man is allowed to build a bungalow in his own back garden.
David Howe has applied to build a bungalow in the garden of his Weybridge home for him and his wife to move into, but it can only be accessed by a track which is used by pedestrians.
Campaigners say regular traffic on the dirt track would transform it into “a hazardous zone” for the school children, dog walkers, cyclists and parents with buggies who use it.
But Mr Howe said the track was already shared by pedestrians and vehicles, so cars would continue to use it regardless of his application.
He said: “If pedestrians are on the path, then the vehicle waits, if not, it can pass along – as happens now.
“Vehicles can and will continue to use this access lane whether or not this application is granted.
“If I were to withdraw the application today then vehicles would still be able to drive up and down the lane tomorrow.”
The track, which connects High Pine Close and York Road, is 2.8m (9.18ft) in width at its narrowest and 3.15m (10.3ft) at its widest.
Weybridge resident Julian Easthope said emergency vehicles would not be able to access the proposed property because the track was too narrow.
“It’s a designated public footpath, it is widely used by the local community for children going to school, people going to shops, all sorts of reasons,” he said.
“There is not enough room for cars to pass pedestrians without pinning themselves against the wall. That is actually against the law on a public footpath.”
Mr Easthope said there had been no incidents involving pedestrians on the footpath “but very recently we had a van come down here and it knocked its wingmirrors off”.
The plans will go before Elmbridge Borough Council on Wednesday.
