- Pippa Middleton and her husband, James Matthews, are at the centre of a planning dispute over a road on their Berkshire estate that locals believe is part of a public footpath.
- The entrance to Mill Lane on their Barton Court estate was closed with a gate and railings after Mr Matthews acquired the property in 2022, with an electric gate installed in October 2022.
- West Berkshire Council designated the lane as a public right of way following an application by West Berkshire Ramblers, a decision that the estate is now challenging.
- Local residents have provided evidence to the public inquiry, stating the lane is a vital link for navigating the village of Kintbury and offers a safer alternative to a “dangerous road”.
- A public inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate is scheduled for 14 May to hear the challenge, with the estate arguing the route has always been private and its public use would cause privacy and security issues.
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