King Charles III is facing potential royal family tensions over his plans to construct a massive slurry storage facility near Prince William's country home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Royal Residence in Proximity to Planned Manure Lagoon
The proposed giant slurry pit, which could hold up to 2,160,538 gallons of liquid manure, would be situated less than a mile from Anmer Hall, the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion where Prince William, Princess Catherine and their three children reside when visiting Norfolk.
Council planning documents reveal that Anmer Hall is one of the nearest properties to the proposed development site, raising concerns that the royal family might experience unpleasant odours from the agricultural facility.
Local Opposition and Safety Concerns
Villagers living near the Sandringham estate have expressed significant worries about the potential impact of the enormous manure storage facility. One anonymous neighbour commented: "We are all used to farmyard smells around here – but this lagoon will be enormous. Everyone is worried it will create a massive stink."
The parish council in Flitcham, located just over a mile away in the opposite direction from William's home, has formally raised valid concerns about safety issues and potential odour problems affecting the village, particularly when winds blow in their direction.
Planning Details and Potential Outcome
According to plans submitted by Sandringham Farms, the slurry pit would cover an area measuring 86 by 46 metres and be surrounded by an 8-foot embankment seeded with plants and wild flowers. While some manure would come from the King's own sheep and cattle at Sandringham, much of the slurry would be transported from other farms during winter months.
King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council is currently considering the scheme, with County Councillor Stuart Dark suggesting the borough could either reject the plan entirely or attach specific conditions to its approval. The proposed facility would store animal waste for use as organic fertiliser on the monarch's fields in north Norfolk.
The situation presents an unusual family dynamic, with the landowner responsible for the controversial plans being William's own father. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the matter, leaving local residents and councillors to determine the fate of the proposed agricultural development that risks creating both literal and figurative royal tensions.
