In December 2011, property developers announced that they were planning to develop Sandleford Park, near Newbury, Berkshire, in a real-life parallel to the fictitious development of this area which prompted the rabbits to leave the warren in the book and film of
Watership Down (1978). Richard Adams announced he would organise stiff opposition to the development. "I'm going to oppose it tooth and nail. It's a beautiful piece of open country and the most beautiful area south of Newbury. The very idea of building on it makes your gorge rise.".