Pippa Middleton has been ordered to dismantle a car park constructed on her Berkshire estate after it was deemed an "unsightly" addition that did not have planning permission. The decision by West Berkshire Council came after local residents lodged complaints about the development.
Middleton and her husband, James Matthews, sought retrospective planning permission for the car park, which was built last year on their Barton Court estate. However, council officials ruled that the parking area was "out of keeping with the beauty, landscape, character or rural setting" of the area. Planning officers noted in February that the site introduced an "urbanizing and visually intrusive feature into a highly sensitive rural landscape."
Last month, an appeal by Middleton to overturn the ruling was dismissed. The appeal was rejected due to concerns that the car park would detract from the area's scenic beauty. Planners stated that its "size and engineered appearance" created a "visually intrusive and urbanised feature into an otherwise open meadow."
Neighbor Objections and Environmental Concerns
Local residents expressed strong objections, with one stating the car park was to the "detriment of the residents and heritage of Kintbury." Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on the nearby River Kennet, with planners noting that "no mitigation measures" had been implemented to protect the waterway from adverse effects. Some objectors suggested the car park was built to shield views closer to their home, which the couple purchased for £15 million in 2022.
Further objections highlighted the potential for increased flooding due to the introduction of hardstanding on agricultural land. Critics argued that this would worsen surface runoff and reduce flood storage capacity, potentially leading to more frequent road closures and traffic diversions onto smaller country lanes.
Rationale for the Car Park
The couple's town planners, JPCC, explained in their retrospective application that the car park was intended as an alternative for anglers who previously used a nearby station car park. New parking rules had restricted access to the station car park to rail users only, necessitating other arrangements. The hard surface was designed to accommodate up to six cars and was intended for seasonal use.
The dismissal of Middleton's appeal means the original decision to deny planning permission stands. Representatives for Middleton and Matthews have been contacted for comment.
This situation follows a previous dispute involving Middleton and Matthews, who in 2022 closed off Mill Lane, a path that winds through their estate, to public access. This action restricted dog walkers and ramblers who had previously been permitted to use the route under the estate's former owner, Sir Terence Conran. A formal inquiry was subsequently held regarding the right of way for Mill Lane.