Latest news with #JonHunt
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Our lives will be ruined by billionaire's £30,000-a-night wedding venue in quiet village – it'll be a 24/7 party site
A 'LORD of the Manor' billionaire has infuriated villagers by launching a mega party centre which they claim threatens to destroy their peace and quiet. Many of the 150 locals say that hugely-wealthy Jon Hunt - who sold his estate agency Foxtons for millions - has turned his country estate in the heart of the Suffolk countryside into a giant retreat called Valley Farm where guests can drink and dance round the clock. 9 9 9 In the latest confrontation with villagers in Huntingfield near Halesworth, critics claim he is creating an unsuitable 24-hour-a-day venue – with booze on tap at all hours – that will ruin their tranquil lives. The latest addition to the sprawling 8,000 acre estate - an 18-bedroom wedding venue called Blyth Barn - is a string of converted linked buildings that can accommodate more than 200 guests and is just two minutes walk from the peaceful village green. In a meeting earlier this month, Huntingfield Parish Council's planning committee voted in favour of a motion to approve the part-retrospective application submitted by The Wilderness Reserve. However, there were conditions that limited the number of events with more than 180 people per year, and there will be no marquees outside the building area, reports the Beccles & Bungay Journal. The plan related to the reconfiguration of three approved holiday lets into the single guest house. But locals are seriously worried that what they describe as a 'glorified holiday camp' they claim will ruin their rural peace and quiet. Local Helen Cannon told The Sun this week: "They know how to work the system – they apparently said it wasn't going to be a party place but that is exactly what every other property on the estate has been turned into. 'This new place will apparently have 18 rooms and be able to host hundreds of people – that will inevitably involve disruption and late-night disturbance for every local living here.' The new 'party central' development – which also boasts a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, gym and party room will be available for a reported £30,000 a night and have parking for more than 100 cars. It previously won permission from the district council to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, sparking more fears among some locals of round-the-clock noise and disturbance. Your kids are breaking law if they kick their ball over neighbour's fence, High Court rules after couple sued next door It is being advertised as 'grand-scale entertainment' and despite local objections, has been granted a licence for music until 1am. Villagers Lori Kingsley Adams and her daughter Nina Roe, 39, are among local objectors – they claim it has grown well beyond the 'rural retreat' originally pitched. Ms Adams, 61, who has lived in Huntingfield since 2017, said: "We feel like we have been ignored and our views not considered – all in the name of money. "This is a very old village and a small farming community and we thought this development would be a good thing for the village. 'But we have already endured four years of construction disturbing the peace and calm of the village. "It has been distressing and Huntingfield has been ruined - Mr Hunt presents himself as a philanthropist but he's not. We feel our views have been ignored – all in the name of money.' Ms Adams previously told the MailOnline: "It's a David and Goliath battle." Another villager said: "No-one has thought about the effect on all our lives – the traffic, light-pollution noise and the effects on wildlife. "Some guests will arrive in helicopters – we have all been misled about the 'green' nature of this development." 9 9 Parish council chairman David Blackmore raised concerns at a recent meeting about 'the huge amount of traffic, noise and light pollution' caused by the guests. He said: 'We are not anti-development just anti the wrong development – and a huge wedding venue and party space has no place in our small village.' And a report from a planning consultant said that the venue 'will inevitably cause a great deal of noise and disturbance to the local area with loud music and and a massive increase in traffic.' Adding a claim that 'the council failed to take any action or issue any enforcement notices for the current development not being in accordance to the approved plans.' But not everyone is against the new facility – furniture maker Chris Kerridge, who lives in the village, said: "I come from here and lots of my family live around here. "Mr Hunt is creating jobs, employing lots of local people and is saving the place in a traditional way. 'He is restoring disused old buildings and putting them to good use – he has deep pockets and can afford to do that.' The Wilderness estate is described in its brochures as 'an eco-holiday resort for grand-scale entertainment' and famous guests who have already stayed there include Jack Whitehall and Zoe Sugg. Mr Hunt makes this year's recent 'Rich List' with a fortune of £1.427 billion pounds which means he is the 114 th richest person in the country. The planning committee also approved an application for an extension and modification One bid is for the extension and modification of the car park which had received 40 objections from the public. It was heard in the meeting that the proposal includes 53 parking spaces and the overflow car park was removed from the application in response to objections. The other proposal was a part-retrospective application for a building to house management services and overflow accommodation. The committee voted in favour to approve both the applications. A spokesman for Wilderness said: "We have been part of the community around Huntingfield for many years, supporting local businesses and jobs as well creating new natural habitats for wildlife. "We look forward to continuing to work with the local community to deliver more of these benefits in the future." 9 9 9
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Our lives will be ruined by billionaire's £30,000-a-night wedding venue in quiet village – it'll be a 24/7 party site
A 'LORD of the Manor' billionaire has infuriated villagers by launching a mega party centre which they claim threatens to destroy their peace and quiet. Many of the 150 locals say that hugely-wealthy Jon Hunt - who sold his estate agency Foxtons for millions - has turned his country estate in the heart of the Suffolk countryside into a giant retreat called Valley Farm where guests can drink and dance round the clock. Advertisement 9 The Wilderness Reserve which has been granted approval for its Blyth Barn wedding venue on the Valley Farm estate Credit: JOHN McLELLAN 9 A sign in the village saying 'Wilderness Reserve Not Welcome Here' Credit: JOHN McLELLAN 9 Villager Liz Forrester is against the new venue Credit: JOHN McLELLAN In the latest confrontation with villagers in Huntingfield near Halesworth, critics claim he is creating an unsuitable 24-hour-a-day venue – with booze on tap at all hours – that will ruin their tranquil lives. The latest addition to the sprawling 8,000 acre estate - an 18-bedroom wedding venue called Blyth Barn - is a string of converted linked buildings that can accommodate more than 200 guests and is just two minutes walk from the peaceful village green. In a meeting earlier this month, Huntingfield Parish Council's planning committee voted in favour of a motion to approve the part-retrospective application submitted by The Wilderness Reserve. However, there were conditions that limited the number of events with more than 180 people per year, and there will be no marquees outside the building area, reports Advertisement The plan related to the reconfiguration of three approved holiday lets into the single guest house. But locals are seriously worried that what they describe as a 'glorified holiday camp' they claim will ruin their rural peace and quiet. Local Helen Cannon told The Sun this week: "They know how to work the system – they apparently said it wasn't going to be a party place but that is exactly what every other property on the estate has been turned into. 'This new place will apparently have 18 rooms and be able to host hundreds of people – that will inevitably involve disruption and late-night disturbance for every local living here.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun The new 'party central' development – which also boasts a swimming pool , hot tub, sauna, gym and party room will be available for a reported £30,000 a night and have parking for more than 100 cars. It previously won permission from the district council to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, sparking more fears among some locals of round-the-clock noise and disturbance. Your kids are breaking law if they kick their ball over neighbour's fence, High Court rules after couple sued next door It is being advertised as 'grand-scale entertainment' and despite local objections, has been granted a licence for music until 1am. Villagers Lori Kingsley Adams and her daughter Nina Roe, 39, are among local objectors – they claim it has grown well beyond the 'rural retreat' originally pitched. Advertisement Ms Adams, 61, who has lived in Huntingfield since 2017, said: "We feel like we have been ignored and our views not considered – all in the name of money. "This is a very old village and a small farming community and we thought this development would be a good thing for the village. 'But we have already endured four years of construction disturbing the peace and calm of the village. "It has been distressing and Huntingfield has been ruined - Mr Hunt presents himself as a philanthropist but he's not. We feel our views have been ignored – all in the name of money.' Advertisement Ms Adams previously told the Another villager said: "No-one has thought about the effect on all our lives – the traffic, light-pollution noise and the effects on wildlife. "Some guests will arrive in helicopters – we have all been misled about the 'green' nature of this development." 9 Huntingfield Parish Council's planning committee voted in favour of a motion to approve the part-retrospective application Credit: JOHN McLELLAN Advertisement 9 The wedding venue contains 18 rooms Credit: JOHN McLELLAN 9 It's feared the tiny village will be further blighted by the latest approval Credit: JOHN McLELLAN Parish council chairman David Blackmore raised concerns at a recent meeting about 'the huge amount of traffic, noise and light pollution' caused by the guests. He said: 'We are not anti-development just anti the wrong development – and a huge wedding venue and party space has no place in our small village.' Advertisement And a report from a planning consultant said that the venue 'will inevitably cause a great deal of noise and disturbance to the local area with loud music and and a massive increase in traffic.' Adding a claim that 'the council failed to take any action or issue any enforcement notices for the current development not being in accordance to the approved plans.' But not everyone is against the new facility – furniture maker Chris Kerridge, who lives in the village, said: "I come from here and lots of my family live around here. "Mr Hunt is creating jobs, employing lots of local people and is saving the place in a traditional way. Advertisement 'He is restoring disused old buildings and putting them to good use – he has deep pockets and can afford to do that.' The Wilderness estate is described in its brochures as 'an eco-holiday resort for grand-scale entertainment' and famous guests who have already stayed there include Mr Hunt makes this year's recent 'Rich List' with a fortune of £1.427 billion pounds which means he is the 114 th richest person in the country. The planning committee also approved an application for an extension and modification Advertisement One bid is for the extension and modification of the car park which had received 40 objections from the public. It was heard in the meeting that the proposal includes 53 parking spaces and the overflow car park was removed from the application in response to objections. The other proposal was a part-retrospective application for a building to house management services and overflow accommodation. The committee voted in favour to approve both the applications. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun A spokesman for Wilderness said: "We have been part of the community around Huntingfield for many years, supporting local businesses and jobs as well creating new natural habitats for wildlife. "We look forward to continuing to work with the local community to deliver more of these benefits in the 9 Chris Kerridge is very much in favour of the site Credit: JOHN McLELLAN 9 Sue Brewer, pictured with her dog Elsie, is against the new plans Credit: JOHN McLELLAN Advertisement 9 Julie Collet stands proudly by the Huntingfield sign Credit: JOHN McLELLAN
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Last-minute vote leaves bridge's future in limbo
The future of a Victorian bridge hangs in the balance after councillors deferred a decision to demolish it. Boxted Bridge, which straddles the Essex-Suffolk border near Colchester, was shut over safety fears in June 2023. Essex County Council was expected to approve a scheme to remove it on Friday, but members instead voted to conduct a site visit before deciding its fate. Parish councillor Jon Hunt said it sent a "strong message" about seeking alternative solutions. The steel structure was built four years before the end of Queen Victoria's reign, carrying people over the River Stour. An inspection in 2018 found the bridge was "dangerously weak" due to corrosion of its beams. The county council planned to demolish it and build a wider structure in its place, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors voted to defer the demolition decision so they could inspect the bridge themselves and consider alternative options. Labour councillor Dave Harris told the meeting: "I don't think we've got enough in front of us at the moment to do anything but either refuse or defer." It was not specified when the inspection would take place. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk. Demolition of Victorian bridge set to be approved Campaigners blast bridge demolition plans Historic bridge closed suddenly over deterioration Villagers in bid to save bridge from demolition Essex Highways - Boxted Bridge
BBC News
28-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Boxted Bridge decision delayed for councillors to visit site
The future of a Victorian bridge hangs in the balance after councillors deferred a decision to demolish Bridge, which straddles the Essex-Suffolk border near Colchester, was shut over safety fears in June County Council was expected to approve a scheme to remove it on Friday, but members instead voted to conduct a site visit before deciding its councillor Jon Hunt said it sent a "strong message" about seeking alternative solutions. The steel structure was built four years before the end of Queen Victoria's reign, carrying people over the River inspection in 2018 found the bridge was "dangerously weak" due to corrosion of its county council planned to demolish it and build a wider structure in its place, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors voted to defer the demolition decision so they could inspect the bridge themselves and consider alternative councillor Dave Harris told the meeting: "I don't think we've got enough in front of us at the moment to do anything but either refuse or defer."It was not specified when the inspection would take place. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'We don't need this' - return of HMO plan neighbours just don't want
Residents are 'concerned' over a plan to convert a two-bed bungalow into a HMO for seven people. Another planning application has been submitted for the property on Church Road in Perry Barr after a previous bid for a nine-bedroom HMO was given the boot last October. Reasons for the rejection included the "loss of a family dwelling without sufficient justification" and an "increase in noise and disturbance." READ MORE: All the parts of England, Scotland, Wales set to wake up to snow from 6am tomorrow READ MORE: New bin rules in England scrapped in major u-turn for thousands of households READ MORE: Stolen scaffolding truck driven through fence and dumped near pond This time, the HMO, which is close to the A34 Walsall Road, would be "tailored for young professionals" and come with four parking spaces. Each bedroom would come with an en-suite and there would be a communal living/dining/kitchen area which opens up into a garden. Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox Coun Jon Hunt is opposing the latest plan, saying there is a desperate need for family homes in the area. He said: "The residents of Church Road are very concerned at attempts to convert the houses into HMOs with large numbers of flats. "Last time they signed a petition and the proposal was rejected by the planning department. "These houses need to be kept as family homes, which are desperately needed. "There are many flats available elsewhere in Perry Barr. We don't need this." A design and access statement on behalf of the applicant said: "The proposal respects and responds to the existing site context and the character of the surrounding area. "It carefully considers the local planning policies, including the '3Bs'Neighbourhood Plan, which promotes a garden suburb ethos. "By incorporating significant landscaping, ample parking, secure bicycle storage, and enhanced pedestrian access, the development aims to meet the current and future needs of its residents while integrating seamlessly into the community." It added: "In conclusion, the proposed development is a considered and respectful solution that utilises the potential of the existing site to meet the accommodation needs of the local area, contributing to the community's diversity and vibrancy." The application will be discussed by city planners at a later date.
