West Berkshire Council refused retrospective approval for the Barton Court project because it urbanized the rural landscape and lacked protections for the River Kennet. James Matthews and Pippa Middleton claimed the parking area was needed to support estate-funding fishing rights, but neighbours argued it merely kept visitor vehicles away from their private residence. The enforcement compounds existing neighbourhood tensions that began shortly after the couple moved in. This marks the latest dispute alongside an ongoing inquiry over blocked pedestrian access on nearby Mill Lane.
Key points
Local authorities will enforce planning regulations against unauthorized developments eve…: Local authorities will enforce planning regulations against unauthorized developments even when owners claim they provide essential commercial revenue.
Strong neighbourhood opposition played a decisive role in prompting council scrutiny over…: Strong neighbourhood opposition played a decisive role in prompting council scrutiny over unpermitted work on the private estate.
The planning defeat deepens persistent conflicts between the residents and the homeowners…: The planning defeat deepens persistent conflicts between the residents and the homeowners regarding local land use and historic public access.
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Pippa Middleton and her hedge fund manager husband, James Matthews, have been ordered to remove a car park they built on their sprawling country estate without obtaining prior planning permission. The decision comes after a group of residents in the picturesque village of Kintbury raised objections with West Berkshire Council, claiming they had not been consulted before construction began last year.
Pippa, the younger sister of Princess Catherine, and James own the land, which forms part of their £15.5 million, 145-acre Barton Court estate. The couple moved into the property in 2022 and have since been involved in several disagreements with locals over developments and access to the estate.
Council rules car park development was visually intrusive
According to a report by The Times, the couple subsequently applied for retrospective planning permission for the anglers' car park, arguing that the sale of fishing rights along the River Kennet was a significant source of income that helped support the upkeep of the estate.
However, West Berkshire Council rejected the proposal, concluding that the development was 'visually intrusive and urbanised' and had…
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