Princess's brother-in-law fears security risk in path row

The Princess of Wales's brother-in-law has said allowing a public footpath on his estate would cause "very real" security issues and that any use has been too infrequent to justify it.

James Matthews moved with Catherine's sister Pippa to Barton Court in Kintbury, Berkshire, in autumn 2022.

He installed an electric security gate in September 2022, which prompted the West Berkshire Ramblers group to apply to legally recognise the path, which is about 285m (935ft) long, in January 2023.

West Berkshire Council found the route was "reasonably alleged to exist as a public right of way" but Matthews has objected.

On the final day of a public inquiry, Paul Wilmshurst, for Matthews, said the ramblers group had "struggled to show the required use".

Legally, a public footpath can be "deemed to exist" if it has been used for an "uninterrupted [20-year] period, without force, secrecy or permission".

A path can also be designated if there is evidence that a landowner has allocated the land for that purpose and that it has been publicly used.

In a written submission, Matthews said public recognition "would cause very real practical/privacy difficulties and security issues" for him and his family.

Wilmshurst told the inquiry that Lady Conran, widow of designer Sir Terence Conran, said she saw one person using the path in 30 years while living at Barton Court.

Anthony Stansfeld, a long-term Kintbury resident and the Thames Valley's former police and crime commissioner, said he regarded the path as part of a private drive.

But Emma Rowland, for the ramblers, said it has been regularly used for more than 20 years and has been "woven into the lives of many people of Kintbury".

She said witnesses during the inquiry demonstrated "clear and consistent evidence" of its use, with the ramblers using it from at least 1994.

Rowland added that walkers not reporting being approached by landowners or staff over that time showed a lack of "clear, consistent challenges".

Barton Court, a Grade II listed building, dates back to the 18th Century.

Planning inspector Ken Taylor said he expects to make a decision on the case in August.