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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Katie Weston

Kate Middleton's sister Pippa wins planning row over 72-acre 'petting zoo' farm park

Pippa Middleton has won a planning row with a neighbour at her farm park in Berkshire, it is reported.

The Princess of Wales' sister, and her husband James Matthews, bought the 72-acre Bucklebury Farm - a rundown petting zoo and deer park close to the mansion where Kate's parents live - back in 2020.

They then submitted plans to the local council to build an indoor play barn for children, a cafe and a farm shop with outdoor seating.

But they appeared to neglect applying for planning permission for a covered seating area, which they went ahead and built to one neighbour's apparent dismay.

The couple bought the 72-acre Bucklebury Farm in 2020 (pictured: general view of Bucklebury Village) (Berkshire Live - Grahame Larter)

The resident voiced concern over their stated intention to reroute a public footpath, according to the Daily Mail, saying the new trail was "prone to flooding".

It was also pointed out that no precautions had been taken to avoid "potential conflict" between walkers and drivers visiting the site.

However, the couple have now emerged victorious and been granted retrospective permission for the area.

They were also allowed to go ahead with building a play barn, storage building, toilets and a 100-vehicle car park, as well as refurbishing and extending an existing visitor barn, it is reported.

The couple have now been granted retrospective permission for the covered seating area (Getty Images)
Pippa and James at the Royal Albert Hall (SplashNews.com)

Before Pippa and James bought the farm, the site consisted of a 44-acre deer safari park with a cafe and other buildings for livestock.

An earlier planning application said visitor numbers will be capped at 400 a day to prevent the village from being swamped, and they predicted the venture would pump £2.3million into the local economy.

They appear to have already come up with their name for the new venture, and registered a company called Pippa’s Playground.

The farm offers tractor rides during the spring and summer months (Berkshire Live - Grahame Larter)

Pippa, 39, can be regularly spotted in a wax jacket and wellies overseeing things at the farm.

It is also home to a deer safari park, which holds an extensive deer herd with four different breeds.

The farm, where Prince George has been spotted in the past, offers tractor rides during the spring and summer months.

There are also walking tours, pat-a pet, meet the goats, pony grooming, egg collecting and donkey brushing for kids.

Play areas include an outdoor adventure zone with a zip line, an obstacle course and picnic benches.

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