King Charles is set to build a giant slurry pit full of manure less than one kilometre from Prince William and Princess Kate’s country residence, Anmer Hall. The new lagoon on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk will be dug out in farming fields close to the couple’s home.
In planning permission documents submitted to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council by the estate, it can be seen that the pit will be the size of four Olympic swimming pools and will be used to store animal manure before it is used to fertilise surrounding fields. The fertiliser will be used to improve crops on 2,700 hectares of farmland, including wheat, barley, beans, and oat varieties.
While the project 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.
Local 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 Kate were given Anmer Hall as a wedding gift by Queen Elizabeth after their marriage in 2011. The hall is an 18th-century red-brick home situated in the village of Anmer.
It is two miles away from the King’s main residence at Sandringham House and is where the Wales family spend a lot of their free time. They previously lived there full-time between 2015 and 2017 when Prince William was serving as a search and rescue pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Large renovations were previously carried out, including a new roof, a conservatory, a new kitchen and a substantial tree-planting scheme to offer the family more privacy. The refurbishments totalled £1.5million and were paid for using private Royal Family funds.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council still has to decide whether or not to give consent for the proposed lagoon.