Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews have sparked controversy in their close-knit West Berkshire village by closing off a footpath on their £15million estate
Outraged locals have rounded on Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthew in a bitter stand-off over the use of a footpath on the couple’s estate.
The village row kicked off after the couple ‘closed off a lane’ by their West Berkshire country pile. The stunning grounds were previously owned by design tycoon Sir Terence Conran, who allowed those living nearby to use the charming path leading up to the mansion’s private drive.
But it has now been claimed that the pair have moved to end put an end to that by installing signs warning ‘Private: No Public Access’ and ‘No Trespassing’. Their decision to block the entrance has been described as ‘outrageous’ while others urged them to reconsider.
Pippa, the younger sister of the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, married hedge fund manager James – the older brother of Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews – in 2017. The couple now live in the £15million property with the couple’s three children, Arthur, five, Grace, three, and Rose, two.
But arguments have now erupted among locals, the Mail on Sunday reports, quoting one neighbour who said: “These people seem to be overprotective of their property. I don’t think it is right. We are quiet villagers, we don’t have vandalism around here. With all the notices stuck up, it feels like us and them.”
Another told the publication: “It’s a shame, it is a lovely walk. Although it wasn’t officially a footpath, Sir Terence didn’t have any objections. He was very nice and everyone liked him.” They went on to say it feels like Pippa and James are depriving the village of an amenity.
However, another local was keen to stress that the pair are within their rights to block access to the public, saying that many assume the pathway is a right of way but it never been.”
Mirror Online has approached the couple for comment.
Back in March, the pair submitted a Highway Declaration Notice to West Berkshire Council, clearly marking out the private territory. The road is now off limits. However, the decision is not yet official.
The lavish Georgian property which they bought in 2021 is set in 150 acres and has a whopping 32 rooms. In 2022, it was reported that there were concerns over the “historic fabric” of the home after they dug up the huge walled garden to install a 82 ft x 19 ft swimming pool.
There were also reportedly worries about possible Middle Stone Age sites nearby because the property is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and near ancient woodland. The mansion is in stark contrast to her sister, Princess Kate and Prince William now live in the far more modest Adelaide Cottage in Windsor after moving out of their residence at Kensington Palace.
