Fury at Duke's plans to build 'prison fence' to protect his Harry Potter castle
The Duke of Northumberland is at loggerheads with locals over plans to erect a replacement fence on a boundary to protect his Harry Potter castle home from louts.
Ralph Percy, one of Britain's richest aristocrats, is fed-up with finding parts of his property damaged and rubbish left in the sprawling grounds of his home, Alnwick Castle.
The 11th century castle was used to film two Harry Potter movies while the plush state rooms also featured in Downton Abbey.
The Duke, 66, lives in the castle with his wife, the Duchess of Northumberland Jane, 64.
The couple - worth an estimated £315 million - have expressed concern after a rise in fly-tipping and "anti-social behaviour" around the castle.
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But the planned “prison fencing” has locals annoyed (SWNS)They have now been granted planning permission to replace a stone perimeter wall and barbed wire with a 2m-high green 'mesh fence'.
Northumberland Estates, which handles the Duke's business interests and property portfolio, insist the structure will "enhance" the castle.
But some Alnwick residents have blasted the plans, saying the famous landmark will be spoiled.
The Alnwick Castle fence plan has been met with fierce opposition (One Associates / Alnwick Estates)Lodging an objection with Northumberland County Council, resident George Skipper said: "At best this will look like a theme park, at worst a young offenders' institution."
Andrew Duff, who lives yards from the castle, said: "The mesh fencing has an industrial appearance more suited to a business park or school site."
He added that "it [the fence] creates an unfriendly and negative impression for such an important location."
Local business owner Samantha Hobrough said: "The proposed wire fencing is inappropriate within the heritage context of the castle and environs."
The royal is pressing ahead with his plans after finding rubbish and waste dumped on the historic site (Northumberland Gazette / SWNS)Resident Maria Youngs, 40, said: "I respect the fact that the duke needs to protect his home from fly-tippers.
"Surely there is a better design than this ugly fencing which looks more like the kind you see surrounding prisons to keep the inmates from escaping."
Writing on a local Facebook page, one user said: "Looks like they're getting ready to film the next Harry Potter movie: HMP Hogwarts!"
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Another wrote: "Fly-tippers and free loaders Expelliarmus!"
They have now been granted planning permission to makes the changes (Northumberland Gazette / SWNS)Josh Daniels, of Northumberland Estates, said the barbed wire fencing aimed to deter trespassers.
He added that geographical features at the Greenwell Road car park where visitors leave their vehicles, meant fly-tippers could easily dump rubbish undetected.
In the report, he said: "We believe the landscape will be enhanced through the replacement and repositioning of the existing fencing to prevent fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour at the Alnwick Castle."
Planning officers last week approved the plans and the fencing is expected to be put up before the busy summer season.
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