RESIDENTS of an exclusive Marlow estate have been celebrating after a High Court judge ruled against developers and brought an end to a bitter legal dispute.

The row, between residents and developers, was over who controlled a road running through the Wethered Estate, known as Wethered Park, and other land.

The High Court heard developer Michael Davis had "used threats" against residents opposing development for five new homes on the estate.

Judge Clive Freedman QC said that, when six residents continued to protest against the plan, Mr Davis became "irate".

He sent at letter to Wethered Estate Ltd, a management company controlled by residents, threatening to open up the estate for use by the public.

In January 2003, Mr Davis parked an "old, rather unsightly van" outside the house of the "principal objector" to the plan who was trying to sell his property at the time.

Mr Davis put a notice on the van warning prospective housebuyers of the dispute, and claimed it was only fair they should know about the problems.

Judge Freedman said: "He used threats and the presence of the van in order to attempt to curb opposition to his planning application."

The van remained in the road for about 15 months with Mr Davis arguing he could park it where he wanted because he owned the road.

The court heard Mr Davis and Alison Davis, directors of developers Trinity Development Corporation (TDC), built the estate and agreed to hand over control of the disputed land in September 2001 to the Wethered Estate Ltd in return for the company not objecting to plans for five new homes.

However, some residents did object to the homes plan which triggered Mr Davis' actions.

On Friday, July 15, Judge Freedman sided with the residents and said Wethered Estates Ltd, had full control of the development.

Judge Freedman declared the Wethered Estate Ltd controlled the road, the gates, and it had exclusive rights to manage the land. He said such a ruling would ensure the van could not return.