When Pippa Middleton and her hedge-fund tycoon husband James Matthews splashed out £15 million on a sprawling 32-room Georgian mansion set in 145 acres of idyllic Berkshire countryside, they dreamed of creating the ultimate private family sanctuary for their three young children. But instead of peaceful country living, the sister of the Princess of Wales has sparked a furious row with locals after blocking off a much-loved public footpath that has been used by villagers for decades.

Shortly after moving into the Grade II-listed Barton Court near the quiet village of Kintbury in 2022, the couple installed an imposing electric gate across Mill Lane and erected stern “Private: No Public Access” and “No Trespassing” signs around the perimeter. The move has effectively barred dog walkers, ramblers and local residents from the lane that winds through their vast estate beside the River Kennet.

Thirty-five angry villagers, backed by the Ramblers Association, have fought back. They applied to West Berkshire Council to officially designate Mill Lane as a public right of way — and the council initially sided with them. However, James Matthews, through his land agent, formally objected, triggering a full government planning inquiry next month that could deliver a legally binding decision.

Locals have not held back in their criticism, painting a picture of the wealthy newcomers as aloof and arrogant. Rob Brown, a 68-year-old resident who has lived in Kintbury since 1985, did not mince his words: “I don’t think they give a damn about what anyone in the village thinks. They’re not very popular in the area. They think they’re a bit better than everyone else. They’re not even the proper Royal Family.”

Another long-time resident, Peter Clegg, 68, added with clear frustration: “I don’t know who they think they are. They think they can decide who can walk where and when. It’s not on. People have been walking there for a long time. It shows a lack of respect.”

The comparison with the previous owner, the late retail tycoon Sir Terence Conran, has been particularly unflattering for Pippa and James. Villagers recall Conran as warm and community-minded, actively encouraging people to use the paths on his land. Eugene Futcher, chairman of West Berkshire Ramblers, pointed out: “The paths were never closed under Conran — he actively encouraged people to use them.”

Closing the lane has created real practical problems. Residents say they are now forced onto a dangerous main road with no pavement or verge, especially concerning since walking is vital for mental health. “Taking it away will be inconvenient,” Futcher warned, “especially when walking is so important to mental health. It will force people onto the main road, which is very dangerous.”

One resident of 20 years summed up the feeling in the village: “I understand their need for privacy, but you can’t move into a village and demand that people change their ways.”

The dispute has highlighted a growing tension between wealthy incomers seeking total seclusion and long-established locals who value traditional rights of way. Pippa and James, parents to Arthur, seven, Grace, five, and Rose, three, reportedly wanted a quiet family home away from the spotlight. Yet their actions have backfired spectacularly, turning them into symbols of “new money” arrogance in the eyes of some villagers.

This is not the couple’s only clash with the community. Their renovation plans for the historic mansion were delayed due to concerns over prehistoric remains on the site, and James Matthews’ lavish 50th birthday party last year drew complaints about loud music disturbing the peace late into the night.

As the planning inspector prepares to hear arguments from both sides next month, the battle lines are clearly drawn. The Ramblers Association is determined to protect public access rights that date back to at least the 1960s, while Pippa and James appear ready to fight for the privacy they believe their multi-million-pound estate should provide.

For many in Kintbury, the issue runs deeper than a simple footpath. It has become a symbol of class divide — between the super-rich who can afford to buy their way into the countryside and the ordinary villagers who have walked these lanes for generations. The upcoming inquiry will decide not just the fate of Mill Lane, but perhaps also how welcome the Middletons really feel in their new neighbourhood.

As one local put it bluntly, the couple’s decision shows “a lack of respect” for the community they have joined. Whether Pippa Middleton — once celebrated for her show-stopping appearance at her sister’s royal wedding — can repair relations with the people of Kintbury remains to be seen. For now, the electric gate stays firmly shut, and resentment continues to simmer in this picturesque corner of Berkshire.