Latest news with #KevinFraser
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Theatre loses in High Court after secretly building venue without permission
A theatre has lost a High Court appeal after it was ordered to tear down its 465-seat venue which was built secretly without planning permission. Kevin Fraser, director of Titchfield Festival Theatre, took his fight to save his venue to the High Court after claiming to be the victim of a 'vendetta' from the local council. Mr Fraser had already admitted the £1.7 million development in the Hampshire village of Titchfield was built without planning permission and the theatre was declared illegal by a planning inspector last year. Determined to ensure that the show must go on, 68-year-old Mr Fraser launched an appeal by alleging that the inspector's ruling was not lawful. However, a High Court judge made the curtain finally fall on Titchfield Festival Theatre's Arden stage, the newest of its three stages. READ MORE: Shows are still being advertised for next month at the Arden stage although it is understood that the theatre is under orders to cease performances. William Shakespeare is thought to have links to Titchfield after an alleged affair with the Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley, who sponsored the writer for a time. For the last 13 years, Titchfield Festival Theatre has been operating out of a converted barn which holds two auditoriums seating 100 and 200 audience members respectively. But after two failed attempts to get permission to convert a storage space on the site, in August 2022, artistic director Mr Fraser sanctioned the covert building of the new venue more than twice the size. The Arden Theatre which has the order to be torn down at Titchfield Festival Theatre in Titchfield, Hampshire. (Image: Andrew Croft/Solent News) The new Arden theatre even featured an underground orchestra pit - which can seat up to 16 musicians - dwarfing the existing Acorn and Oak theatres. It had been hosting performances since last summer, before Fareham Borough Council stepped in by serving a Planning Enforcement Notice in 2023. READ MORE: Titchfield Festival Theatre loses appeal to stay open Councillors from Fareham Borough Council said it 'beggared belief' that Mr Fraser would build the Arden without permission. Kevin Fraser at Titchfield Festival Theatre in Titchfield, Hampshire. (Image: Andrew Croft/Solent News) Mr Fraser branded them 'Scrooges' and said they had a 'vendetta' against him, but in August last year the venue was declared illegal by a planning inspector. Central to the decision was the stipulation that the site could not legally be used as a theatre. In a statement published by the BBC, Titchfield Festival Theatre said: "The trustees are obviously disappointed with the ruling from the Judicial Review. "We are taking further legal advice on the potential outcomes. In the meantime the Arden Theatre continues to operate."
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Theatre without planning permission loses appeal
A theatre complex has lost a High Court appeal against an order to close one of its venues that was built without planning permission. The Arden, the newest of three stages at Titchfield Festival Theatre in Hampshire, is continuing to host performances despite being declared illegal by a planning inspector in August 2024. The High Court upheld the inspector's decision, which followed an enforcement notice by Fareham Borough Council. It said the land had no lawful use as a theatre. Previously, the theatre accused the council of pursuing a "vendetta" against it. It organised an online "Save Festival Theatre" petition, attracting more than 6,000 signatures. Artistic director Kevin Fraser previously told the BBC: "We took very strong legal advice before we even put a spade in the ground. "After 10 years there is a thing called 'deemed permission' within planning law, and our legal advice was that we could claim deemed permission for that full theatre use." However, the High Court ruled the inspector did not err in law when she ruled that the 463-seat Arden theatre was effectively a new unit for planning purposes. Neil Cameron KC, sitting as a deputy judge, also dismissed other appeal grounds, including over the wording of the enforcement notice. In August 2024, the theatre was told it must cease performances within two months. It was given seven months to fill in the orchestra pit and dismantle the stage, seating and sound and lighting equipment. However, in November the theatre was granted permission to appeal, and said it considered the planning enforcement to be on hold. The Arden is currently hosting a production of The Sound of Music and has plans for performances up to 17 May, according to its website. In a statement, Titchfield Festival Theatre said: "The trustees are obviously disappointed with the ruling from the Judicial Review. "We are taking further legal advice on the potential outcomes. In the meantime the Arden Theatre continues to operate." Fareham Borough Council has been approached for comment. Follow BBC South on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Send your story ideas to or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240. Theatre boss 'heartbroken' by planning decision Curtain falls on theatre without planning permission New 450-seat theatre built without permission Titchfield Festival Theatre Fareham Borough Council
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Titchfield theatre without planning permission loses appeal
A theatre complex has lost a High Court appeal against an order to close one of its venues that was built without planning Arden, the newest of three stages at Titchfield Festival Theatre in Hampshire, is continuing to host performances despite being declared illegal by a planning inspector in August High Court upheld the inspector's decision, which followed an enforcement notice by Fareham Borough said the land had no lawful use as a theatre. Previously, the theatre accused the council of pursuing a "vendetta" against organised an online "Save Festival Theatre" petition, attracting more than 6,000 director Kevin Fraser previously told the BBC: "We took very strong legal advice before we even put a spade in the ground."After 10 years there is a thing called 'deemed permission' within planning law, and our legal advice was that we could claim deemed permission for that full theatre use." However, the High Court ruled the inspector did not err in law when she ruled that the 463-seat Arden theatre was effectively a new unit for planning Cameron KC, sitting as a deputy judge, also dismissed other appeal grounds, including over the wording of the enforcement August 2024, the theatre was told it must cease performances within two was given seven months to fill in the orchestra pit and dismantle the stage, seating and sound and lighting in November the theatre was granted permission to appeal, and said it considered the planning enforcement to be on Arden is currently hosting a production of The Sound of Music and has plans for performances up to 17 May, according to its a statement, Titchfield Festival Theatre said: "The trustees are obviously disappointed with the ruling from the Judicial Review."We are taking further legal advice on the potential outcomes. In the meantime the Arden Theatre continues to operate."Fareham Borough Council has been approached for comment.
