A dispute has broken out between local residents and Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews over access to a footpath running through their £15 million Berkshire estate.
The couple, who live at Grade I-listed Barton Court, are at the centre of a growing disagreement with walkers and campaigners over Mill Lane, a route locals say has been used for years as a safe alternative to a nearby busy road.
Residents from the village of Kintbury argue the path offers a safer connection to the village, especially compared with Station Road, which they describe as narrow, traffic-heavy and lacking pavements.
The controversy escalated after the couple installed electric gates and “Private: No Public Access” signs following their purchase of the estate in 2022. Locals claim the route had previously been left open by former owner Sir Terence Conran, with an informal understanding that it could be used as a passageway.
Since then, around 35 residents, supported by The Ramblers’ Association, have challenged the closure and pushed for Mill Lane to be recognised as a public right of way.
The matter is now being reviewed at a Planning Inspectorate hearing held in the village hall, where Matthews attended and argued that privacy and security concerns justify restricting access to the path. The couple live on the estate with their three children.
Tension has grown within the community, with some residents accusing the couple of relying on Middleton’s family connections. One local told the Mail, “They’re not even the proper Royal Family,” reflecting frustration over the dispute.
Another resident, Samuel Robins, said he had used the path for many years without issue and had never been stopped from walking it. He questioned the need for restrictions, saying he struggled to see what security concerns existed.
Local councillor Tony Vickers noted that while Mill Lane is not officially designated as a public right of way, many residents prefer it for safety reasons compared to the main road.
However, legal representatives for Matthews have defended the closure. In written submissions, barrister Paul Wilmshurst argued that opening the route to the public would create “very real practical privacy difficulties and security issues.”
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