Polo club frequented by Prince William and Harry in row with neighbours over plans to double capacity

A polo club frequented by the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex is embroiled in a planning row with neighbours over plans to double its capacity to 10,000 people.

Residents believe the proposal will bring huge crowds that will cause extra noise and blight the area, and have complained to the council.

The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Winkfield submitted the plans to the Bracknell Forest Council licensing panel. A decision is yet to be made.

Yet one resident fumed: "I object to this application on the grounds that increasing the capacity of the premises is likely to have a negative impact on the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective.

"Because a larger audience requires greater sound volume to penetrate both the greater area and the greater hubbub of chatter by the people attending.

"We can hear the noise from their entertainments and are disturbed by it at night even though we live over half a mile away."

Another said there would be a "significant increase" in traffic as well as the "major increase" in noise.

In particular they said it would be a problem when loud music bands play on long summer nights after the polo.

Prince Charles became a patron of the 220 acre polo club - just a stones throw from Windsor Castle - after it opened in 1985. This then led to both his sons playing regularly there.

Just last July the Duke of Sussex shared a passionate kiss with his new wife, the Duchess of Sussex, after a game. He scored twice as his team won 5-4.

The council panel was set to make a decision last night [Thurs]. It currently has an alcohol licence and can play music until 2am.