Pippa Middleton has been told to remove a car park built without planning approval on her Berkshire estate, after neighbours objected to what they described as an unattractive addition to the countryside setting.
The sister of Princess Catherine and her husband, James Matthews, sought retrospective planning permission for the parking area after it was put in place last year.
However, West Berkshire Council rejected the bid following several objections from residents, concluding that the development did not sit comfortably with the area’s “beauty, landscape, character or rural setting”.
One local resident argued that the “unsightly” car park harmed both nearby residents and the historic character of Kintbury.
Planning officers sided with the concerns in February, stating that the work had added an “urbanising and visually intrusive feature” to a particularly sensitive rural landscape.
Ms Middleton later challenged the decision, but her appeal was dismissed last month amid fears the parking area would damage the “scenic” quality of the surrounding countryside.
The disputed car park lies within the Wessex Downs, an area subject to heightened protections designed to safeguard its natural landscape.
In their assessment, planners said: “Due to its size and engineered appearance, the development has introduced a visually intrusive and urbanised feature into an otherwise open meadow.”
Pippa Middleton’s car park (circled) is at the centre of a local planning row in Berkshire
Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews applied for retrospective planning permission after constructing the car park last year
Concerns were also raised that vehicles leaving the car park do not have ‘adequate visibility’, and that it could impact the nearby River Kennet.
Planners argued that ‘no mitigation measures’ had been put in place to protect the river from ‘adverse impacts’.
Some objectors argued that the couple installed the car park to stop cars from spoiling views closer to their Barton Court country home, which they bought for £15million in 2022.
One local wrote: ‘This application is to move unsightly parking out of sight of the applicants on entry to the Barton Court estate to the detriment of the residents and the heritage of Kintbury.’
They added: ‘Given the high-risk location, congestion, and heritage impact, I request that the Committee carry out a site inspection before making any decision.’
Another resident objected: ‘The introduction of hardstanding parking on agricultural land at this location would urbanise the entrance to Kintbury and erode its rural and historic character.’
They also warned of the possible threat of flooding, adding: ‘Additional hardstanding will inevitably increase surface runoff, reduce flood storage capacity, and worsen flooding on Station Road, increasing road closures and diverting traffic onto unsuitable country lanes.’
JPCC, the couple’s chartered town planners, stated in their retrospective application: ‘Historically, the anglers have been able to use the small station car park opposite the gate entrance. However, new parking rules have been introduced, which means the car park is now only available to rail users.
‘As such, alternative arrangements have had to be made. The hard surface is sufficient to park up to 6 cars and will only be used seasonally.’
Planning documents show the location of the car park (in red) near Ms Middleton’s home
Barton Court estate in Berkshire is the £15million home of Ms Middleton, sister of the Princess of Wales, and her husband James Matthews
Ms Middleton with her sister Princess Catherine at Wimbledon in 2019
The conclusion to dismiss Ms Middleton’s appeal means the original ruling to deny planning permission stands.
The Daily Mail has contacted the couple’s representatives for comment.
It comes months after Ms Middleton and Mr Matthews found themselves in another battle with locals after barring dog walkers and ramblers from going through their grounds.
Grade I-listed Barton Court, which sits on the River Kennet near the village of Kintbury, was previously owned by the late retail tycoon Sir Terence Conran, who allowed locals to use Mill Lane, which winds through the estate.
But when the couple arrived in 2022 with their three children – Arthur, Grace and Rose – they wasted little time in closing off the lane with an electric gate.
Signs warning ‘Private: No Public Access’ and ‘No Trespassing’ appeared around the perimeter.
Thirty-five residents, backed by The Ramblers Association, applied to West Berkshire Council to have Mill Lane declared a public right of way.
A Planning Inspectorate inquiry began in the village hall in May, attended by Mr Matthews, who sought to claim security and privacy concerns should win out.
