A controversial businessman and former LSD derivative producer faces backlash from villagers in Hertfordshire after proposing to move a 1,000-year-old drover's route near his luxury estate, citing safety and privacy concerns. Locals argue the change would destroy a historic path and a beloved 'green tunnel,' while critics accuse him of attempting to obstruct public access.
A wealthy chemist and former founder of a controversial firm that sold legal LSD derivatives has sparked outrage among villagers in Hertfordshire over his plans to relocate an ancient bridleway near his £2.8 million mansion.
Alexander Stratford, 35, has submitted an application to move the 1,000-year-old drover's route, citing concerns over farm machinery safety and privacy. However, locals argue that the proposed change would not only erase a historic pathway once used for driving livestock to market but also eliminate access to a scenic 'green tunnel' formed by overhanging trees. Critics accuse Stratford of attempting to force people off the path by placing a skip and unsightly debris near its entrance, further escalating tensions.
The businessman, who purchased an eight-bedroom farmhouse in 2021, has been involved in multiple planning applications for his property, which includes 66 acres of farmland and woodland, as well as a converted barn. Yet, it is the proposed alteration to 'Bridleway 21' that has drawn the most ire from the community. Villager Andrew Butler, 56, expressed his frustration, stating, 'People think they can move in and change things that have been here forever.
He does not have the right to essentially change history. I am totally against it, and so is the majority of the village.
' Parish council chairman Wayne Morris echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the path is not just a minor route but a piece of local history that has existed for over a millennium. He criticized Stratford, a London transplant, for attempting to alter a cherished landmark. Another villager, who wished to remain anonymous, condemned the proposal as a 'disgrace,' arguing that the path should remain untouched after generations of use.
Stratford hosted a meeting at the local pub, the Five Horseshoes, where he presented his plans over free drinks. However, attendees were unimpressed, with one claiming that Stratford's justifications—privacy concerns and safety risks from farm machinery—were unfounded. The villager added, 'There was never a problem with privacy or farm machinery before. The green tunnel is so beautiful.
To lose it would be devastating.
' Locals also pointed out that Stratford had already created an alternative route through his property, but the new path was deemed unsuitable for horse riders due to sharp surface materials. Wayne Morris noted that riders had already fallen due to the poor conditions, and animals on the land had spooked horses. His wife, Sue, accused Stratford of deliberately obstructing the original path with a large skip and debris, claiming she had reported the issue to Hertfordshire County Council.
Stratford's background adds another layer of controversy to the situation. He founded Lizard Labs, a Netherlands-based company that produced novel LSD derivatives designed to circumvent drug laws, selling them to countries like France, Germany, and Japan between 2012 and 2024. The estate agent's brochure for the farmhouse even acknowledged the existence of a public right of way within the property's boundaries. Despite the backlash, Stratford has not responded to requests for comment.
A staff member at his home, which features five bathrooms, five reception rooms, and advanced security systems, stated that he was unavailable. Hertfordshire County Council confirmed that it had initiated a 'pre-order consultation' on Stratford's application. This dispute is not the first of its kind in the village.
Another couple, David Moore, 63, and his wife Dr. Dawn Carnell, 59, a cancer specialist, have been embroiled in a six-year battle over a different bridlepath that runs through their £1.2 million property. The ongoing conflicts highlight the tensions between property owners and the preservation of historic public rights of way
Bridleway Dispute Historic Path Property Rights Local Opposition Legal LSD
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