Kate and Pippa’s club in revolt at £22m makeover

TURF war has broken out on the manicured lawns of The Hurlingham, the exclusive west London country club patronised by the Duchess of Cambridge and her sporty sister Pippa.

Members are livid about the club’s proposed £ 22 million redevelopment project, which involves closing the swimming pool for two years and cutting down two magnificent lime trees.

The Hurlingham is set within 42 acres of grounds bordering the Thames in Fulham and boasts it is a ‘green oasis of tradition’.

But the peace has been shattered by plans to redevelop the club’s Grade II-listed West Wing, adding a second swimming pool, cafe, sports bar and fitness studios over three floors.

Furious patrons say the Hurlingham estate is becoming overcrowded and overdeveloped, damaging the club’s green space. An insider says: ‘Some members might chain themselves to the trees to save them.’

The Hurlingham’s chairman, Julian Holloway, held a referendum this week to vote on whether to submit the architects’ plans to Hammersmith & Fulham Council for planning approval and listed building consent.

A record 3,260 members voted, with 58.1 per cent for the motion and 41.9 per cent against. One member says: ‘The disagreement has poisoned the atmosphere.’

The Hurlingham charges annual membership fees of more than £1,000. But it will still need to take out a £4.7 million bank loan to help finance the development, meaning the club will be in debt until 2024. The Hurlingham has already spent £1.2 million on professional fees.

Holloway says: ‘We appreciate that we will have construction for two years, but we believe it will be a price worth paying to transform our club for the better.’

In recent years, Hurlingham members have revolted over the ‘oiks’ invasion by members of the reality show Made In Chelsea, and the ‘industrial-size crusts’ on the club’s sandwiches. It all makes Brexit look like a picnic.