Pippa Middleton wins battle to keep footpath near Kintbury estate off-limits to the public
Planning inspector rules Mill Lane never became a public right of way
Last updated 15th Sep 2026
Pippa Middleton – sister to Princess of Wales Kate – has won her battle with the Ramblers to keep a pathway near her Barton Court estate in Kintbury from being used by the public.
The planning inspector has just published his findings… but locals who claimed the footpath in Kintbury had been in use for decades say ‘status’ has won the day.
The central issue in the Barton Court footpath planning inquiry is whether Mill Lane, a route running through the Kintbury estate owned by Pippa and James Matthews, has gained status as a public right of way through long-term continuous use.
Campaigners argue that because walkers were not consistently challenged or stopped by landowners or staff over a 20-year period, a presumptive right of public access was established.
“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 planning inspector rejected the notion that the path was a right of way and had been in use for 20 years.
But Pippa’s family said it was not a path, and that 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.”
In August 2022 the Barton Court Estate, including much of the wider land holding, was purchased by James Matthews – Pippa’s husband.
He moved to Barton Court with his family a few months later.
Electric gates were erected in September 2022 blocking the path.
Local evidence given to the inquiry suggested past proprietors tolerated or respected walkers using the route, and that physical obstructions (such as gates and railings installed after the current owners acquired the estate in 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.”