William and Kate spark fury as 'no-go zone' bans locals from land near new 'forever home'

CCTV cameras, high fencing and landscaping are being installed to secure the couple’s eight-bedroom Forest Lodge, where they are set to live with their children George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7.

The exclusion area, covering around 150 acres with a 2.3-mile perimeter, will be signposted with warnings and trespassers risk arrest under Home Office orders.

The restrictions mean the permanent closure of a car park and public access gate used by dog walkers and residents, who had paid £110 a year for permits.

Read More: William and Kate's new home revealed as pair relocate to five bedroom Windsor pad

The car park was locked for good at 7pm on Sunday, with contractors seen driving the final fence posts into the ground as participants in the Windsor Half Marathon passed by.

According to The Sun, the royal couple are paying for the property and renovations themselves, avoiding any extra cost to the taxpayer.

The paper reported that work has already started on minor renovation at the Grade II-listed property.

An official order stated: "Due to the pending designation of part of the Great Park as an exclusion area, access via Cranbourne Gate will permanently cease."

Some locals said they understood the need for heightened security but still felt aggrieved.

Mechanical engineer Tom Bunn, 32, from Maidenhead, told The Sun the loss of access was a blow.

"Obviously it’s disappointing as my dog loves it here,” he said of walking his nine-year-old dog, Mr Brown, in the fields near Forest Lodge.

One resident described the Home Office’s decision to close off the space as "a kick in the teeth" for the community.

Visitors once able to collect Christmas trees or attend lessons at an educational centre near Forest Lodge will no longer be able to do so, with access points at Sandpit Gate, Woodend Gate and the South Forest also closed.

Sources close to the family said William, Kate and their children are seeking a fresh start at the Grade II-listed Georgian house, following a turbulent period at Adelaide Cottage that saw the death of Queen Elizabeth II and cancer diagnoses for both the Princess and King Charles.

While some residents voiced frustration at losing access, others backed the security changes.

One neighbour said: "We love the royals and William and Kate and it’s so exciting they are moving to Forest Lodge.

"It’s clear this car park closure has not come from them, but is down to security concerns."

Contractors have erected a tall wooden fence around the property, planted trees to bolster privacy, and laid underground wiring to power CCTV cameras installed at the rear fields.

Once formally designated under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) 2005, public access will be permanently barred.

The law extends protection to Crown land and property used by the monarch or immediate heir.

According to Home Office documents, Forest Lodge has now been formally added to the list of "new residence" sites on the Crown Estate, with the boundary agreed by the Royal Household, Thames Valley Police and government officials.

The order, issued by security minister Dan Jarvis, was signed on September 4, laid before Parliament on September 8, and comes into force today.

It grants police powers of arrest for trespassers and is intended to "act as a deterrent for incursions".

Windsor Great Park informed permit holders of the changes in a letter last week. The note read: "We appreciate that for some members they may wish to cancel their membership - if this is the case then please contact the membership team to discuss further."

Kensington Palace said they do not comment on security matters.

The Home Office has been contacted by LBC for comment.