The Grand Tour host Richard Hammond was seen treating his teen daughters to a lavish meal in London on Thursday night, after willing a planning battle at his estate.
Former Top Gear star Hammond, 50, looked elated as he emerged from popular eatery The Ivy in Chelsea with Isabella, 19, and Willow, 16, in tow.
Keeping warm in a black quilted coat with faded jeans, complemented with a grey scarf, the TV personality was joined by a pal for the leisurely outing.
Fine dining: Richard Hammond (second right) stepped out for dinner with his daughters Isabella and Willow and a friend in Chelsea, London, on Thursday evening
The family removed their blue protective face masks as they posed for snapshots on the streets of the English capital before going on to enjoy their evening.
Hammond’s outing comes as his Richard Hammond’s battle to convert a 200-year-old barn into a ‘party venue,’ at his country retreat has finally been approved.
His plans will see the barn house five swanky new bedrooms complete with en-suites, a gym, a heated swimming and room to display his motorbike collection.
Full of joy: Keeping warm in a black quilted coat with faded jeans, complemented with a grey scarf, the TV personality looked elated as he enjoyed his night on the town
The star 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.
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.
Approved: Hammond’s outing comes as his Richard Hammond’s battle to convert a 200-year-old barn into a ‘party venue,’ at his country retreat has finally been approved.
‘A glazed extension provides a link between the dining area and the motorbike display room.’
Since then however, 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.
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.
Ready to go: Architects working on Hammond’s behalf submitted plans to Herefordshire Council last year; an amendment has now been passed through, with conditions
‘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 bedrooms will all be on the first floor, each with an ensuite, giving Hammond a stylish place to host fellow Grand Tour presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
A wheel treat: Part of the barn would lead on to the 50-year-old TV personality’s collection of motorbikes, while there is also space for a gym and swimming pool
He bought the Grade II-listed pad for £2million in 2008, and lives there with wife 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 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.
Collection: Hammond has ‘a collection of cars and motorcycles which support his work as a motoring journalist’, according to the plans
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.
Space: He 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