Mark Roberts (businessman)

Mark Roberts is a Welsh businessman notable for the purchase of approximately sixty United Kingdom titles as Lord of the Manor or Marcher Lord and his legal claims to historical rights associated with them. In several cases he has attempted to profit from the claimed rights. After having some of his rights revoked by a change of law in 2005, and a ruling that Marcher Lords no longer exist in 2008, Robert's only standing legal right is to a moiety of wreck off the coast of some areas of Wales.[1]

Biography

In 2001 Mark Roberts claimed as the Lord of Alstonefield, a title won for £10,000 at auction,[2] to own mineral extraction, hunting and fishing and access rights in the Staffordshire village of Alstonefield.[3] He sought charges of up to £45,000 from residents of Peterstone for access across pathways and verges claimed through the title of Lord Marcher of Trelleck.[4] However, his activities have been curtailed by a change in the law in 2005 meaning that no-one can be charged for access across common land if it can be shown that they have already done so for twenty years.[5]

Claims to extensive sections of foreshore under the title of Lord Marcher of St. David's delayed the planning process for a Marina in the town of Fishguard.[6] In 2008 his claim to be Lord Marcher of St Davids was rejected in a High Court action, along with his claims to have certain 'franchise' rights in that capacity. The judge ruled that Mr Roberts only had a limited right to wrecks along stretches of the Pembrokeshire Coastline. He faces estimated costs of over £600,000.[7] In 2008 he lost another legal case, claiming rights over parts of the Severn estuary under the title of Lord Marcher of Magor.[8][9]

Mr Roberts lives on Friars Point, near Barry, South Wales, and owns Tacticall Radio Hire Ltd.[10] In 2008, Tacticall Radio Hire were involved in a dispute regarding the leasehold of a pensioner's house.[11]


References

  1. ↑ Frank Hinks (2008-09-04). "To the manor bought". Legal Week. Archived from the original on 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  2. ↑ "BBC News: To the manor bought". 2007-07-31. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  3. ↑ "BBC News: Village backlash against Lord of the Manor". 2001-09-03. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  4. ↑ "BBC News: Village anger at lord's charges". 2004-01-13. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  5. ↑ "Hansard Westminster Hall: 3 Feb 2004 : Column 202WH".
  6. ↑ "BBC News: 'Lord' claim may delay marina". 2005-02-16. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  7. ↑ "BBC News: 'Lord' wins right to share wreck". 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  8. ↑ Tibbetts, Graham (2008-02-21). "Daily Telegraph: 'Lord of the manor' Mark Roberts loses case". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  9. ↑ Frank Hinks (2008-09-04). "To the manor bought". Legal Week. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  10. ↑ Britten, Nick (2007-08-04). "Daily Telegraph: Villagers urge rebellion over 'Lord of the Fees'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  11. ↑ "Wales Online: Homelessness threat for disabled widow, 86".
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