Pippa Middleton and her husband face backlash after restricting public access to their estate in a Berkshire village.
The couple, who paid £15 million for Barton Court, in Kintbury, have blocked local dog walkers and ramblers from a track that traverses their estate, once freely accessible to villagers.
Set in 145 acres, the Grade I-listed Georgian mansion was previously owned by the late retail tycoon Sir Terence Conran, who reportedly encouraged locals to use the path.
However, since their arrival, Pippa and her hedge-fund tycoon partner, James Matthews, shut Mill Lane in the village, with an electric gate and posted signs warning "Private: No Public Access."
The actions have infuriated locals.
Some villagers insist the estate’s former owner never had an issue with walkers and left the gates open, which were said to be overgrown with ivy at the time of his death in 2020, aged 88.
Thirty-five residents, backed by The Ramblers Association, applied to West Berkshire Council to have Mill Lane declared a public right of way.
Despite the council siding with the villagers, Mr Matthews, through his land agent, objected to the council's decision.
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The couple will now have to persuade a government-appointed planning inspector next month that they are within their rights to withdraw long-standing access to the track.
The inspector will hear representations from both sides before making a legally binding ruling.
Rob Brown, 68, a Kintbury resident since 1985, said: "The paths were never closed under Conran - he actively encouraged people to use them."
Peter Clegg said: "It's not on. It's not like people are trampling on arable fields.
"People have been walking there for a long time."
A resident of 20 years added: "I understand their need for privacy, but you can't move into a village and demand that people change their ways."
Eugene Futcher, chairman of West Berkshire Ramblers, said: "People have used it for a very long time - certainly since the 19605.
"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.
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"There is no footpath or verge."
Apart from the path dispute, the Matthews have faced other hurdles since their arrival in Kintbury.
Their renovation plans for the mansion have been put on hold as archaeologists warned that the work might disturb prehistoric remains on the site.
Last year, Mr Matthews's 50th birthday party drew complaints due to late-night music.
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