As Kate Middleton and Prince William prepare for their big move to Forest Lodge in Windsor later this year, it sounds like they might not want to expect their new neighbors to throw them any housewarming parties.
According to locals who have spoken out this week, security measures that are already being taken to secure the area around the royals’ new home base are concerning to those who have lived there for a long time — especially since at this point, it’s beginning to affect their daily lives.
On Monday, The Times reported that a perimeter of 2.3 miles has been secured all around Forest Lodge, and anyone who trespasses into that 150-acre area will be subject to arrest. There’s just one problem: This means that access to the Cranbourne Gate to Windsor Great Park, and to a parking lot that some locals pay £110 (or about $150 in USD) to use has been cut off.
Unfortunately, those who use the parking lot weren’t given very much notice about the change, either; the outlet reported that they were only sent messages warning them about what would happen the week before it closed.
This has been pretty upsetting to locals, according to what some have told The Sun.
“Many of us have been walking our dogs here for 20 years so to be told we can’t any more is a kick in the teeth,” one woman said. “We pay annually towards the upkeep of a park but we are no longer going to be allowed to use part of it. They’ve only given us a few days’ notice to say this section of forest is closing for ever. Now I’ll need to get in my car to drive further afield to take my dog for a walk.”
The good news is that while some residents certainly aren’t happy, they also don’t seem to be blaming Will and Kate for the situation, either.
“We love the royals and William and Kate and it’s so exciting they are moving to Forest Lodge,” one of their future neighbors said. “It’s clear this car park closure has not come from them, but is down to security concerns.”
