Amalgamating 2 titles with a footpath in between tgem

Hello, I recently purchased the field next to my house and wish to amalgamate the titles of both into a single titled property. Both are owned by my partner and I and both are Freehold. There is however an established 1.5 metre wide public footpath running between them separately bounded on either side of the footpath. Does that prevent us from doing that amalgamation?  

Hello Guy - no it does not but we will often refuse to amalgamate unless there is a 'good' reason to do so, namely good enough for both you and HMLR. Here's the generic response to a standard enquiry re amalgamation<br> &#160; <p>An amalgamation is the joining of two or more parcels of registered or unregistered estates affecting different extents of land under a single registered title.</p> <p><strong>We do not amalgamate titles unless some positive advantage accrues to a number of prospective purchasers (such as an amalgamation of areas of land comprising a housing development), or the request does not add unnecessarily to our workload.</strong></p> <p>Amalgamation can only happen where:&#160;</p> <ul> <li>the estates are of the same kind [for example, freehold title]</li> <li>the estates are owned by the same proprietor[s] and in the same capacity [for example, if an owner holds one title as joint proprietor and another as sole proprietor, amalgamation of the two cannot take place]</li> <li>the impact upon any encumbrances on individual titles, such as mortgages, have been accounted for &#160;</li> </ul> <p>If you wish to apply for amalgamation you will need to complete and submit:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-the-register-ap1">Form AP1</a></li> <li>a covering letter outlining the reasons for the request along with any supporting evidence [If you are being refused insurance, for example, then you should include a copy of that refusal with the application]</li> <li>a sufficient description or plan of the land being amalgamated</li> <li>a fee of £40.00 [cheques/postal orders to be made payable to HM Land Registry]</li> </ul> <p>To find out where to send the completed form, see&#160;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-address-for-applications">Land Registry address for applications</a>.</p> <p>Your application and any supporting documentation will be considered on receipt.</p> <p>Land registration is complex, designed to protect legal and financial interests in property. There can be significant consequences for any error. Please consider seeking legal representation. Before making an application without legal representation, it is important to&#160;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-application-without-legal-representation"><u>consider the benefits of using a conveyancer.</u></a></p>