Sponsored by
'Quainton manor facing greatest threat since Civil War'
High speed rail is the greatest threat to Christopher Prideaux's family home since the fallout from the English Civil War.
But he is determined to protect Doddershall Park and the wider countryside from the proposals – although unlike his illustrious ancestors, at least he won't face a trip to the Tower of London for taking his government to task.
Under the plans, the line would sit only 350 metres away from Mr Prideaux's beautiful 500 year-old Grade II* manor in Quainton.
It would also take up around 40 acres of his vast estate, much of which is used for farming, and destroy a lovely arch-way cottage which greets visitors to Doddershall.
Looking out at the field where trains might soon rumble past, the former High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire said: "It is a completely horrendous thought."
The 73 year old is angry at the way the coalition Government appears to be pressing ahead with the plans despite concern over its 30bn price tag and the damage it will do to the environment.
"Why has this government picked up this plan without due diligence?" he asks.
"(Transport secretary Philip) Hammond and other ministers state that the finance is available because it would be during the next parliament.
"This statement is incomprehensible and totally incompatible with the essential national spending cuts – it is inconsistency only a politician could believe."
Previously, the biggest threat to Doddershall Park came when Charles II, whose father was executed during the Civil War, took to the throne and was unhappy with Mr Prideaux's forefathers.
"They tried to sit on the fence but got caught out in the end and had to pay a huge fine to Charles II," he said.
"If he'd refused, the place would probably have been burnt down."
Looking around his stunning estate, it is difficult to see very much that has changed since the time of the New Model Army, apart from the telephone lines and infrequent buzz of planes overhead.
But all that could change with high speed rail, something he says would be a disaster for the countryside.
"It is contradictory to current views on agricultural production and the environment," he said.
"Hammond says HS2 is environmentally sound.
But HS2 itself says it doesn't know whether it is better than carbon neutral and ignores the effects of construction.
"Sites of special scientific interest and areas of outstanding natural beauty are dismissed."
And he warned: "This house has been here for 500 years.
"This neighbourhood would be divided as badly as it was during the Civil War."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Aylesbury
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
