James Matthews purchased the Barton Court Estate in Berkshire in 2022, according to multiple reports. The estate is a 32-room Georgian mansion on 145 acres of countryside on the banks of the River Kennet near Kintbury, major media sources confirm. Matthews has taken steps to restrict access to the property, with warning signs saying 'No Trespassing' and 'Private: No Public Access' put up around the perimeter, as reported by major media. In 2024, he lodged a highway declaration notice stating that Mill Lane was not accessible to the public, according to major media. Through his land agent, Matthews objected to West Berkshire Council's decision to designate Mill Lane as a public right of way, major media reports.
West Berkshire Council designated Mill Lane as a public right of way after local walkers said it had been used freely for over two decades, multiple reports indicate. A planning inspector will hear representations from both sides next month and make a legally binding ruling on the public right of way, according to major media. The specific legal arguments Matthews and his land agent will present to contest the designation remain unclear, as does the exact reason for closing the lane beyond speculation about privacy concerns.
People have used it for a very long time - certainly since the 1960s. Taking it away will be inconvenient, especially when walking is so important to mental health. It will force people on to the main road, which is very dangerous. There is no footpath or verge. The paths were never closed under Conran - he actively encouraged people to use them.
Historically, the previous owner of the estate, Sir Terence Conran, allowed locals to use Mill Lane and never objected to walkers or closed the gates, villagers claim. Locals argue that closing the lane forces them to use a narrow country lane, Station Road, which has no footpath or verge, putting walkers at risk. According to Daily Mail - News, Eugene Futcher, chairman of West Berkshire Ramblers, described how people have used it for a very long time, certainly since the 1960s, and that taking it away forces people onto the main road, which is very dangerous. The Ramblers' Association says the lane has been used as a safe and scenic route to leave and return to Kintbury village, avoiding Station Road. People have had unfettered access to the lane since the 1960s, using it for decades up to hundreds of days a year, according to Eugene Futcher. Whether there have been any safety incidents on Station Road since the closure to substantiate claims of increased risk is not known.
Feelings are running quite high in the village over the closure of the lane, according to Eugene Futcher, as reported by major media. Some locals believe James Matthews and Pippa Middleton do not care about what anyone in the village thinks and are not popular in the area, villagers told major media. According to Daily Mail - News, Rob Brown, a Kintbury resident since 1985, described that they think they're a bit better than everyone else and closing the path is a nuisance. According to Daily Mail - News, Peter Clegg, another resident, described that it shows a lack of respect. According to Daily Mail - News, an unnamed resident of 20 years in Kintbury described understanding their need for privacy but said you can't move into a village and demand that people change their ways.
I don't think they give a damn about what anyone in the village thinks. They're not very popular in the area. They think they're a bit better than everyone else. They're not even the proper Royal Family. Closing the path is a nuisance. Conran was better for the area.
The footpath dispute is not the only source of friction since the couple arrived in Kintbury; plans to renovate the mansion stalled due to archaeological concerns, and a birthday party drew complaints over late-night music, major media reports. How the archaeological concerns about prehistoric remains are affecting the renovation plans is currently unknown. The current status of the appeal with the Planning Inspectorate regarding West Berkshire Council's decision on the public right of way has not been detailed.
I don't know who they think they are. They think they can decide who can walk where and when. It's not on. It's not like people are trampling on arable fields. People have been walking there for a long time. It shows a lack of respect.
I understand their need for privacy, but you can't move into a village and demand that people change their ways.