Pippa Middleton and her hedge-fund tycoon husband, James Matthews, thought they had found the perfect sanctuary for their young family when they purchased the 32-room red-brick Georgian mansion, Barton Court, for £15 million in the picturesque Berkshire countryside. But their dream home has quickly become the centre of a heated dispute with furious locals.
The couple, who moved to the mansion in 2022 with their three children, Arthur (7), Grace (5), and Rose (3), have shut off the Mill Lane footpath that runs through their property. This long-standing public right of way, previously accessible to dog walkers and ramblers, was blocked with an electric gate, and signs reading ‘Private: No Public Access’ appeared around the estate’s perimeter. 
The lane, which winds through the property by the River Kennet near the village of Kintbury, was once open to the public when it was owned by the late retail tycoon Sir Terence Conran. However, since Pippa and James took ownership, the path has been closed, sparking an outcry from 35 local residents, supported by The Ramblers’ Association.
These locals have now applied to West Berkshire Council to have the path declared a public right of way. Despite the council siding with the villagers, the Matthews family has objected, leading to a hearing next month before a government-appointed planning inspector. The inspector will decide whether the couple is within their rights to block the footpath or whether the public should regain access.
Eugene Futcher, chairman of the West Berkshire Ramblers, expressed concern about the impact of losing access to the footpath, saying, “Walking is important for mental health, and closing the path will force people onto the main road, which is dangerous.”
Rob Brown, a Kintbury resident since 1985, didn’t hold back in his criticism, stating, “They think they’re better than everyone else. Conran was much better for the area. Closing the path is just a nuisance.”
A 20-year village resident added, “I understand their need for privacy, but you can’t move into a village and demand that people change their ways.”
But the footpath dispute is just one of the controversies surrounding the couple’s move to Kintbury. Renovation plans for the mansion have been delayed after archaeologists raised concerns about disturbing prehistoric remains on the property. In addition, a 50th birthday party for James Matthews last year prompted complaints due to the loud music late into the night.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
