King Charles's neighbours slam monarch's 'unpleasant' move

Local residents in Norfolk have written to the council to complain about King Charles's plan to build a giant slurry pit in the fields near his Sandringham home. The proposed lagoon, which would be the size of four Olympic swimming pools, has prompted fury among locals who have now aired their fears for the project.

Speaking about their concerns regarding how the pit could impact the health of schoolchildren and the elderly, as well as its potential impact on tourism in the area, a number of people who live near the King's Estate have objected to King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.

While a decision will not be formally made until December 15, the site would be used to store animal manure before it is used to fertilise surrounding fields.

One local resident explained: "I am extremely concerned about the close proximity of the proposed slurry pit. The village has a primary school as well as a high proportion of elderly residents whose health could well be affected. Protecting the physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing of all residents and those who work or attend school in the village is paramount. I am strongly opposed to the plans."

Another villager, meanwhile, said they were also worried about a risk of "home devaluation" and a potential decrease in tourist visits to the area.

They wrote: "We strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons: health concerns, extreme smell nuisance, a serious risk of home devaluation, decrease in enjoyment of your house (living enjoyment) which will impact mental health, decrease in tourists visiting the area which will impact local business and therefore the local economy."

While the project, which would be located in the fields very close to Prince William and Princess Catherine's Anmer Hall home, will surely be exciting for the eco-conscious King, who has often spoken about his interests in sustainable farming, there are fears that the "smelly" lagoon will cause issues for local residents.

After the plans emerged, local resident Tim Harewood said: "It's going to be a huge manure lagoon and bound to be very smelly, which would not be great for Prince William and his family when they go to their country home for a relaxing stay."

A statement submitted to King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council with the planning application said: "The proposals involve the formation of a fertiliser storage lagoon to serve an extensive, established land holding of approximately 2,700 hectares.

"This is farmed to grow crops, including modern and traditional wheat, barley, beans, and oat varieties, plus a range of heritage grains. The agricultural holding includes a substantial flock of Aberfield sheep and Beef Shorthorn cattle which produce organic, 100% grass-fed meat.

"As part of the Estate's ongoing conservation management, an area of arable land has been converted to agroforestry which involved the integration of crops and livestock in woodland, or among trees, to improve biodiversity. A variety of trees, including cider apple, perry pear, plum, quince, mulberry, and walnut, have since been planted in addition to wildflower strips.

"The proposed development will deliver a new fertiliser storage lagoon to provide fertiliser storage capacity to serve the network of fields surrounding the application site."

Prince William and Princess Catherine were gifted Anmer Hall as a wedding gift and lived there full-time between 2015 and 2017 when William was serving as a search and rescue pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.