Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthew were involved in a row in the village over their use of a footpath at their £15m West Berkshire country estate

Pippa Middleton and her husband are at the center of a village dispute over the use of a footpath on their £15million property.

The sister of the Princess of Wales and financial tycoon James Matthews moved her young family to a 145-acre farm in West Berkshire two years ago.

The property was previously owned by the late design tycoon Sir Terence Conran, who allowed residents to use the country road leading to the Georgian mansion’s private driveway.

However, Mrs Middleton and her husband decided to close the lane to pedestrians, placing signs around the estate warning “Private: No Entry” and “No Trespassing”. One villager told The Mail on Sunday that the couple’s decision to block the path was “outrageous”.

He added: “I like walking and I don’t understand why I can’t go there. I’ve been going there for 50 years. When Sir Terence had it, he had no objections. I believe we should have the right to move freely.

Mrs Middleton and her husband decided to close the pedestrian lane and signs appeared around the estate warning “Private: No Entry” and “No Trespassing”.

The sister of the Princess of Wales and financial tycoon James Matthews moved her young family to a 145-acre farm in West Berkshire two years ago

“These people seem to be overly protective of their property. I don’t think that’s right. We are peaceful villagers. We don’t have vandalism here. With all the announcements on hold, we feel like us and them. Another villager said: “I think it’s a shame. It’s a beautiful walk.

– Even though it wasn’t officially a footpath, Sir Terence had no objections. He was very nice. Everyone liked him. He was very involved in village life.

“I feel like they are depriving the village of amenities. People may feel like they are bragging.

Through the manager of his estate, Mr Matthews lodged a highway declaration notice with West Berkshire Council in March, designating his private territory.

The property was previously owned by design tycoon Sir Terence Conran, who allowed residents to use the country road leading to the Georgian mansion’s private driveway

It was explained that the road previously used by locals was inaccessible. Eugene Futcher, president of the West Berkshire Ramblers, filed a counter-application seeking to have the driveway recognized as a public right of way.

The council is expected to make a decision next year, but the Matthews family, as landowners, can impose their own restrictions until then.

However, some villagers have expressed their support for the pair, with one business owner saying: “The public assumes this is a right of way. It was never the right of way. The previous owner of the land always allowed them to roam around, but now it’s owned by someone else. (Matthews) just exercised their right.

They added: “Wanderers are narrow-minded people who have nothing and don’t want other people to have anything. This is jealousy. If this was their house or garden, would they want someone walking through it?

Mr Matthews has been contacted for comment.