Concerns new homes may pose security risk to King

There are concerns plans to build 135 homes near King Charles III's estate could pose a "serious security risk".

Miller Homes is hoping to build on the fields between Bath Road and Longfurlong Lane in Tetbury, near Highgrove House, the private residence of Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Chris Giles, Local Government Association secretary, raised the security concerns as the development would "bring significant numbers of people living within yards of the existing close protection zone", patrolled by armed officers.

A spokesperson for Miller Homes said: "Proposals for new, sustainable housing in this part of Gloucestershire have already included positive communication with local councillors."

Meanwhile, Laura Hall-Wilson, a Conservative Cotswold District councillor for Tetbury with Upton, said the plans would "concrete over an important part of countryside", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"This 'bolt on' style development is not well positioned in the town where other areas have been identified through the local plan," she said.

The King and Diana, Princess of Wales, took up residence at Highgrove House soon after they were married in 1981, and the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex spent much of their early lives there.

His Majesty transformed the overgrown gardens with sculpted trees, wildflower meadows, and an arboretum, but his view of fields may be affected by the proposed development.

Peter Martin, chairman of the Longfurlong Greenfields Association residents' group, said Tetbury residents already face "severe parking problems" and "unacceptably long waiting times to see a doctor".

"This is an entirely cynical move by Miller Homes," he said.

"Tetbury has already had over a thousand new homes in the last six years, an increase of nearly 40 per cent. We're a small rural town that cannot cope with any more housing."

The King, Highgrove and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have been approached for comment.

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