Oxford News
King Charles’ peace ‘under threat’ after planning battle loss
Plans to block a large housing development that would “destroy” the monarch’s tranquillity and security at Highgrove House have been thrown out.
Residents have failed in a bid to turn fields bordering the royal residence into public outdoor spaces after developers earmarked it for 135 new homes.
The housing scheme was met with public fury when it was first revealed, and developers were accused of profiteering – over fears they would destroy the cherished wildflower meadows and charge a premium to be ‘the King’s neighbour’.
The fields between Bath Road and Longfurlong Lane on the outskirts of Tetbury in Gloucestershire have been described as a nature lover’s paradise – with some of the hedges even planted by the King himself.
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But the residents’ bid to thwart any development and change the use of the agricultural land into areas or places for outdoor sport or recreation has been rejected by Cotswolds District Council.
The proposal by the Longfurlong Greenfields Association had intended to safeguard the privately-owned land and preserve the tranquillity around the Cotswold royal family residence,
More than 150 residents attended a recent council meeting.
Their spokesperson Steve Keitley told councillors they wanted to protect a “beautiful piece of landscape for the benefit of all persons who want to continue to enjoy a piece of the Cotswolds.”
He told the planning committee the meadows had been undisturbed for “probably centuries” and said any development would destroy what has always been a “village-like environment”.
He added: “The application would protect and preserve the landscape, views and open countryside within the Cotswold National Landscape.
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“The proposal would prevent future development, protect the area for future generations and accord with planning policies relating to nature and the countryside.”
He told the committee that approval of the application would protect the land from “speculative development.”
The applicant Peter Martin added: “The application was intended to protect the site in its current form and would not result in increased traffic, parking, visitors, flooding, development or loss of biodiversity.”
Councillor and local ward member Laura Hall-Wilson said she supported the intention to safeguard the land from residential development and noted strong local opposition to housing on the site.
But other committee members said although they fully applauded the applicant’s objectives, they were wary of the floodgates opening on similar change of use applications.
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Permission was refused in line with the officer’s recommendation by a vote of five to two.
Locals have previously spoken out about their fears that large-scale housing proposals by Miller Homes could even lead to unintended confrontations with armed security staff.
Cllr Laura Hall-Wilson, who represents Tetbury with Upton for Cotswold District Council, said she hasn’t spoken to a single resident of Tetbury who was not against the scheme – and accused the developers of a cynical attempt to build homes and then hike the price under the banner of being a royal neighbour.
She said: “I am not saying the King should have any say over land use above that of a normal citizen. But it is very close to Highgrove, and the people of Tetbury give him peace wherever he goes.
“I am sure he enjoys the tranquillity of the fields and the surroundings.
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“People here are very respectful of that, and they are generally royalists and like the King.
“He has been very supportive of the town, and I think the relationship is good. Everyone is very respectful of their privacy.
“It does feel like cynical form from the developer to try and build all these homes right next to Highgrove.
“Then they can try and whack a premium on them and market the benefit of being the king’s next door neighbour.
“I am not qualified to talk in detail about security concerns, but I would be surprised if there wasn’t, given how close all these homes will be.
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“Highgrove is very well policed. You would do well to sneak in there without being seen, but I think there has got to be some concern there.
“It is extremely unpopular in the village – I would say it is unanimously unpopular in Tetbury – I’ve not spoken to anyone in favour.
“It is beautiful, quiet and peaceful and has existing footpaths over it. It already has access and no houses. They want to concrete a footpath through houses.
“It’s open countryside, and it is deep shades of green with some old Cotswold stone walls, old buildings, barns and lovely trees that have been there a long time. It is just a lovely piece of Cotswold countryside.
“We are all aware that just not wanting houses in a field is strong enough reason and we need to fight this on planning grounds.
“But there are multiple reasons around the application, from water drainage to flooding and access.”
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Peter Martin, a former district councillor and chairman of residents’ group the Longfurlong Greenfields Association (LGA), added: “Tetbury has that royal connection and while the cost of building houses is the same they know they can charge that extra for the name and being ‘next to the King.’
“It is right on the border with land owned by Highgrove and the high security zone is one field back and no more than 150 metres away.
“I suspect and would hope the security team would have a word and say it is not acceptable for people milling around so close to high security.
“It is patrolled by armed officers. They won’t want an accidental conflict with the public.
“Security won’t want dogs running around, and children playing so close to it.
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“The King is not allowed to interfere with the planning process, and that is the right thing. But I think his security might do that.
“He won’t approve of it, I’m sure, but will have to let the planning process play out. But there are lots of planning reasons why it shouldn’t go ahead.”
Peter said the King’s privacy was greatly protected by locals and said this could be impacted if the housing development gets the green light.
He added: “I’ve met him several times. He is a very private person but always got involved in the town in a quiet kind way.
“It’s always kind, measured and thoughtful interventions. Not flashy. But the town is very protective of him and his privacy. We know he comes here to do the same things as us in the fields, to relax and let nature take over.
“He comes down here to forget about the problems in London. For us as a community, we absolutely guard his privacy.
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“He wants to enjoy the lovely, rural nature, listen to the birds, and he is an avid gardener.
“He has certainly enjoyed these fields himself. I know he personally laid three of the hedges out there behind the woods as I talked to him while he was doing it.
“His own physical effort to create that landscape across the road and that needs to be protected for all of us.”
Miller Housing, in a previous statement it had held “positive” talks with councillors about plans for new housing in the Tetbury area.
They added: “Proposals for new, sustainable housing in this part of Gloucestershire have already included positive communication with local councillors, and we will share further information on plans for this land, to engage with the community, in the near future.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
The closure affects the route between the A420 and Coxwell Road near Great Coxwell to allow for carriageway widening and the construction of a new signal-controlled junction.
The closure, in effect 24 hours a day, will begin on September 7, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until April 16, 2027.
An alternative route will be signposted via the A420, London Street, Coxwell Street, and Coxwell Road.
The order, issued by Oxfordshire County Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary.
Exemptions are included for emergency vehicles, and signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
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