Harry Potter and the prison fence of asbo ban: £315million aristocrat owners of castle used in wizard films at war with locals over plans for huge mesh fence to stop anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping

• Duke of Northumberland fed up of finding rubbish in grounds of Alnwick Castle

One of Britain’s richest aristocrats is at loggerheads with locals over plans to erect a huge mesh ‘prison fence’ to protect his Harry Potter castle from fly-tippers and ticket dodgers.

The Duke of Northumberland is fed-up with finding rubbish and waste dumped in the sprawling grounds of his home, 11th century Alnwick Castle.

He also wants to stop tourists sneaking into the world famous attraction, which was used to film two Harry Potter films, to avoid paying the £19.50 per adult entrance fee.

The Duke, Ralph Percy, 66, lives in the castle with his wife, the Duchess of Northumberland Jane, 64. Its plush state rooms also featured in Downton Abbey.

The couple, worth an estimated £315 million, have expressed concern after a rise in fly-tipping and ‘anti-social behaviour’ around the castle.

They have now been granted planning permission to replace a stone perimeter wall and barbed wire with a 2m-high green ‘mesh fence’ – much to the dismay of some locals. 

Alnwick Castle was used to film two Harry Potter films while the plush state rooms also featured in Downton Abbey

The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland who live in the castle 

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.

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.’

Resident Maria Youngs, 40, said: ‘I respect the fact that the duke needs to protect his home from fly-tippers and ticket dodgers.

‘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.’

Northumberland Estates, which handles the Duke’s business interests and property portfolio, insist the structure will ‘enhance’ the castle

Planning officers last week approved the plans and the fencing is expected to be put up before the busy summer season

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’

Some Alnwick residents have blasted the plans, saying the famous landmark will be spoiled

HRH Prince Charles on a visit to The Alnwick Garden, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland

The 11th century castle was used to film two Harry Potter films while the plush state rooms also featured in Downton Abbey

Writing on a local Facebook page, one user said: ‘Looks like they’re getting ready to film the next Harry Potter movie: HMP Hogwarts!’

Another wrote: ‘Fly-tippers and free loaders Expelliarmus!’

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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