Richard Hammond’s battle to convert a 200-year-old barn into a ‘party venue,’ at his £2million country retreat so it can hold five swanky bedrooms complete with en-suites, a gym, a heated swimming and room to display his motorbike collection, has finally been approved.
The former Top Gear host, 50, has spent more than a year locked in a planning battle with officers at Herefordshire Council.
Last year the council approved plans to turn the historic barn in the grounds of Bollitree Castle in to a five bedrooms, with a heated swimming pool.
A 200-year-old barn on Richard Hammond’s £2million Herefordshire castle is set to be converted into rooms, complete with en-suites and a heated swimming pool, after a planning application from the former Top Gear host was given the go-ahead
An initial application to convert the barn into rooms and a swimming pool, but the Grand Tour presenter met opposition when he applied for further changes, which will see en-suites added and an additional bedroom. Historic England warned the changes ‘harm the aesthetic and architectural value’ of the Bollitree Castle, Hammond’s home since 2008
Plans submitted at the time said: ‘The proposal primarily involves providing additional sleeping accommodation on the first floor, with alterations to the ground floor to provide space for entertaining guests.
‘The swimming pool is reduced in size and the gym relocated to the southern end of the barn.
‘A glazed extension provides a link between the dining area and the motorbike display room.’
Since then however, The Grand Tour presenter has faced difficulty getting an amendment through that would see en-suites added to each room – along with an additional bedroom.
Historic England attacked the new proposals saying the designs ‘harm the aesthetic and architectural value’ of the castle.
Architects working on Richard Hammond’s behalf submitted plans to Herefordshire Council last year, an amendment has been passed through, on the condition that builders do not use power tools to cut masonry joints on the historic barn, while no CCTV cameras, security alarms or pipes can be attached to the outside of the building outside allocated spots
Hammond purchased Bollitree Castle for £2million in 2008, he can now convert the historic barn on his castle’s lands into a party venue, with rooms for six guests
Part of the barn would lead on to his collection of motorbikes, while there is also space for a gym and swimming pool. The building is part of his sprawling 20-acre site near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire
Sarah Lewis, inspector of historic buildings, wrote: ‘We consider that the barns form part of the setting of the Grade II-listed building of Bollitree Castle.
‘The new design for the glazed link alters their external appearance to a degree that will impact on the contribution they make to the significance of the castle.’
Despite this row, Hammond has been granted permission to build his party barn.
However Herefordshire Council has given him strict conditions to abide by.
Hammond cannot use power tools to cut masonry joints, and no CCTV cameras, security alarms or pipes can be attached to the outside of the building outside allocated spots.
The six bedrooms will all be on the first floor, each with an ensuite.
Hammond will have a stylish place to host fellow Grand Tour presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
While changes to the barn have been approved, Hammond has another application pending with Herefordshire Council, which would see another building created to keep his collection of cars safe from thieves
Herefordshire Council agreed he could build five bedrooms, with a heated swimming pool gym. The current pool is pictured
He bought the Grade II-listed pad for £2million in 2008, and lives there with Mindy and the couple’s two daughters.
The sprawling 20-acre site has six bedrooms, extensive outbuildings and a swimming pool.
Earlier this year Hammond, also known as the Hamster, submitted plans to create a secure parking area for around a dozen cars and motorbikes he owns.
Proposals revealed in August that thieves have struck at his countryside manor. Hammond has owned around 30 cars, including a Jaguar Roadster, a vintage Porsche and several Land Rovers, as well as numerous motorbikes.
Solihull-born Hammond also wants to renovate the stables at his home and build a barn to store them safely.
Herefordshire Council is set to give a decision later this month.
Hammond is one of Britain’s most recognised TV presenters fronting Top Gear and now the Grand Tour with Clarkson and May.
The trio traverse the globe in various vehicles, going on adventures and completing tasks.
They also review new swish motors and interview celebrities about their cars.
Hammond almost died in 2006 when his dragster span off the runway at 288mph.
He was put into a coma after suffering a head injury.
The right tyre blew as he tried to set a speed record at an RAF base near York.
He was airlifted to hospital in Leeds and the dad-of-two later revealed he experienced depression, paranoia and memory loss due to brain damage suffered.
Hammond has ‘a collection of cars and motorcycles which support his work as a motoring journalist’, according to the plans
Hammond has also submitted plans to create a secure parking area for around a dozen cars and motorbikes he owns, with space also allocated for farming machinery and a workshop area