Pippa Middleton, along with her husband James Matthews, has stirred controversy among Berkshire locals by obstructing a footpath on their estate in Barton Court. They argue that the path poses privacy and security concerns at their residence, a 145-acre Georgian manor purchased in 2022 for £15.5 million. The dispute arose as a group of over 30 villagers, supported by The Ramblers charity, seek to designate the path as a public right of way, claiming its historical usage warrants such recognition.
During a planning inquiry held in the village, the inspector emphasized that privacy considerations were not within the inquiry’s scope. The previous owner, Sir Terence Conran, reportedly permitted locals to use the pathway, but Pippa and James assert that it was never intended for public access. Signs reading “Private: No Public Access” and “No Trespassing” were erected after the couple acquired the estate, sparking a legal battle over the path’s status.
The ongoing six-day public inquiry is focused on determining whether the public’s long-term use of the route, between 2002 and 2022, qualifies it as a public footpath. Arguments from both sides highlight contrasting perspectives, with Pippa and James’ representatives citing privacy and security challenges, while villagers stress the path’s significance as a safe and well-used route to the village.
Residents, like Samuel Robins, have voiced their support for maintaining access to the path, noting its peaceful and recreational value. The debate extends beyond this case, with concerns raised about the broader impact of blocked paths on public access to green spaces. While Pippa and James maintain that there has never been a public footpath on their land, local sentiments express frustration over what they perceive as privileged individuals impeding community rights.