Pippa Middleton Wins Footpath Access Battle

Pippa Middleton - sister of the Princess of Wales Kate - has won a planning battle with the Ramblers to keep a pathway near her Barton Court estate in Kintbury from being used by the public, a planning inspector has ruled.

Locals who say the footpath had been in use for decades claim 'status' has won the day.

The central issue was whether Mill Lane, which runs through the Kintbury estate owned by Pippa and James Matthews, had become a public right of way through long-term, continuous use.

Campaigners argued walkers were not consistently challenged or stopped by landowners or staff over a 20-year period, creating a presumption of public access.

"I am surprised and very disappointed that the inspector came down on the landowner's side," said councillor Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury).

"After attending almost all the inquiry, I could not see any relevant argument put by Mr Matthews' supporters."

"Although evidence of use was not overwhelming, some I have spoken to feel that what could have tipped the balance, albeit unsaid in the Decision Notice, was the status of the series of owners of Barton Court."

The inspector rejected the idea the path had the 20 years' use needed to become a public right of way; Pippa Middleton's family said it was not a path and people used it regardless of right of way.

"I must establish the date when the public's right to use the order route was brought into question and then I must determine if use by the public occurred for a 20-year period prior to this that is sufficient to raise a presumption of dedication," said planning inspector Ken Taylor.

"If this is the case, I must then consider if there is sufficient evidence that there was no intention on the part of the landowner to dedicate a public footpath during this period."

The Barton Court estate was bought by James Matthews in August 2022 and he moved in with his family a few months later. Electric gates were erected in September 2022, blocking the route.

Local evidence to the inquiry said past owners tolerated walkers and that gates and railings installed after 2022 marked a sudden change.

"There were a number of users and groups of users who had a private right of way, by permission, to use the order route," said Mr Taylor. "This included people working on the estate, living at or visiting the various residential properties on the estate, those working at or visiting Benchmark, those doing paid recreational fishing and those working at, attending or visiting Spinney House when it was used as a special educational needs school.

"This would make it more difficult for a landowner to discern if public use of the route were also taking place."

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter