Campaigners have slammed plans to install deer fencing alongside an “attractive” bridleway in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A member of the billionaire Getty family – Tara Getty – wants to put in deer fencing and electronically controlled gates alongside part of the route, which runs past Mr Getty’s Twigside Farm, in Ibstone, and then across it, moving the bridleway off line.

The Open Spaces Society, Buckinghamshire Ramblers, Buckinghamshire County Council and Ibstone Parish Council have objected to the plans, saying the fence will have an “adverse effect on people’s enjoyment of the bridleway”.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “Twigside is in a lovely, quiet valley in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Deer fencing would be an eyesore in the AONB and in particular for users of the bridleway which is an attractive, open route with a wide path on a direct line.

“The fencing would result in the path being narrowed in two places, causing a pinch point for walkers, riders and cyclists; this would adversely affect their enjoyment and ease of use.

“The path would also need to be shifted off its true line which would require a further formal diversion order under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. We would object to this and it would have to be determined by the Secretary of State for Environment.

“The path could not be moved unless this diversion order was confirmed.

“We believe the fence would also obstruct a footpath which runs to the north of the bridleway.

“With electronically-controlled gates, these works would make the whole area appear private, threatening and urban.

“Already the owner has erected discouraging notices about CCTV; the fencing would make this situation worse. We have urged Wycombe District Council to reject the application.”

And Ibstone Parish Council said in its objection letter that Bucks County Council rejected Mr Getty’s previous proposal to divert the bridleway to a location marked as a ‘preferred route’.

It did not object to the proposals on the basis that the suggested route was more attractive to walkers and horse riders.

The parish council wrote: “However it now appears to be clear that the existing bridleway will not be formally diverted.

“It is also clear that the proposed erection of deer fencing and two sets of gates will significantly diminish the ease and enjoyment of use of the existing bridleway.

“The parish council therefore objects to the proposals, but would not object if the bridleway were to be diverted to the current ‘preferred route’.”

Mr Getty is the son of British-born billionaire Sir John Paul Getty, whose father was oil tycoon J Paul Getty.

The Bucks Free Press has attempted to contact Mr Getty for comment.