Pippa Middleton and James Matthews have faced criticism from locals over construction and public access to their estate. (Photo: Instagram/Google Maps)
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.
The development reportedly involved laying approximately 400 square metres of agricultural hard standing across a meadow. However, after Pippa and James moved into the property with their three children, Arthur, Grace and Rose, in 2022, they installed an electric gate to restrict access.
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, according to a report by The Times. In objections submitted to the authorities, locals said they were ‘shocked’ by the development and questioned why the community had not been consulted before work began. The car park drew considerable criticism from residents, who approached the council after noticing the construction. Some residents also alleged that the car park had been created to move vehicles away from areas closer to the couple’s home, thereby preserving the views around their property. One objector reportedly wrote: ‘This application is to move unsightly parking out of sight of the applicants on entry to the Barton Court estate to the detriment of the residents and the heritage of Kintbury. This is not the first time Pippa and James have found themselves at odds with residents since moving to Barton Court. Signs reading ‘Private: No Public Access’ and ‘No Trespassing’ also appeared around the estate.
The land was previously known among residents as the grazing ground of two heavy horses, Monty and Drummer, who lived there before the estate changed hands. The couple previously faced opposition after restricting public access to Mill Lane, a route that runs through their estate and had reportedly been used by local dog walkers and ramblers for years.
