It comes as the Queen faces a multi-million pound drop in her finances due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Duchy of Lancaster, the private estate owned by the monarch, had been preparing to auction off a sliver of land in the village of Baxenden near Accrington.
But after neighbours got wind of the plan they scrambled to stop the sale as the two long strips of land form part of their gardens.
Residents raised fears over what could happen to the land, which was set to be sold off for £1,000-plus, if a private investor got their hands on it.
Eleven gardens in one estate are affected while six in an adjacent row of homes are also included.
The plan to sell caused “significant distress” to homeowners, Lancashire Live reported.
Ted Dignan, who lives in Sandybeds Close where some gardens are affected, said he had teamed up with three of his neighbours to concoct a plan.
The Queen has postponed plans to sell land which is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster (Image: GETTY)
The Queen owns the vast estate of the Duchy of Lancaster (Image: GETTY)
Mr Dignan and his three neighbours will offer the Duchy £1,000 for the section of their gardens which is owned by the estate, and offer to make a further donation of £500 to The Prince’s Trust.
After initially pushing ahead with the plan to sell the land, the Duchy of Lancaster has now backtracked.
The estate will put the plan on hold while officials hold negotiations with neighbours.
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The Prince of Wales inherited the Duchy of Cornwall (Image: GETTY)
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster said the land in question was in the past owned by Baftonhurst Ltd, a firm which no longer exists.
The Duchy said the patch of land fell into its control after the company closed.
A spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster said: “Under UK law, no property or goods can remain ‘ownerless’. Wherever this is deemed to be the case, responsibility for such assets are transferred to HM Treasury. In the County Palatine, they revert to the Duchy of Lancaster as ‘bona vacantia’.
“The land in question has already been offered to the local council who declined to take over the ownership. It is therefore customary for such land to be offered for sale at auction.
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Prince Charles enjoys the country life (Image: GETTY)
Charles spoke about his love for farming during last year’s ITV documentary (Image: GETTY)
“In disposing of the land the Duchy is clear that the residents’ existing rights will take precedence and any sale would be subject to them. Therefore none of the residents will be in a different position after any sale and will not lose any of the rights they have acquired to date.
“We would however be very happy to postpone the auction in order to allow time for residents who wish to acquire part of this land to enter into a direct discussion with the Duchy.”
The Queen is the owner of the Duchy which consists of 18,481 hectares of land in England and Wales.
The vast estate comprises commercial, agricultural and residential properties.
The majority of the land and properties are in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Lincolnshire.
The principal purpose of the massive estate is to provide a source of independent income to the monarch.
It is one of two royal duchies, the other being the Duchy of Cornwall.
The eldest son of the reigning monarch – currently Prince Charles – inherits this portfolio at birth or when their parent succeeds to the throne.
When the Prince of Wales becomes King, Prince William will inherit the Duchy of Cornwall.
Prince William will one day inherit the Duchy of Cornwall (Image: GETTY)
Charles, 71, last year made a two-part documentary for ITV about the estate.
TV viewers were given a rare glimpse into the prince’s lifestyle and how much he enjoys farming and spending time in the great outdoors.
Charles took over management of the Duchy when he was 21 and said he hopes he has supported its people ever since.
He said: “I hope we can help support you a little bit, which is what I’ve been wanting to do all these years.”
