Latest news with #WildernessReserve
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
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Villagers are battling a billionaire over creating a big $37K-a-night venue on their porch — do they stand a chance?
The 150 English residents of Huntingfield, Suffolk were initially delighted when they heard that an old gothic farmhouse — that had been in disrepair for decades — was getting revamped. The initial application to fix up the farm described plans for a "rural retreat" which Lorraine Brennan, a village resident, fully approved of. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) A near-record number of Americans are grappling with $1,000 car payments and many drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to stay ahead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes 'We thought the idea of a rural retreat would be a really good thing for the village," she told New York Post. The only problem is, things did not quite go as planned. "In December 2024, we were told they want to turn it into an entertainment center. It will be larger than our village,' Brennan said. The new proposed venue would be a $37,000 per night wedding venue, which villagers are concerned would create many issues in the small area. The big question now is, can they stop the development — and can others who are facing similar challenges with developers fight to protect the character of their villages and towns in the United States? Huntingfield residents have a lot of concerns about the proposed entertainment venue, and rightfully so. The new development, which would be called Blyth Barn, is being developed by a luxury holiday firm called Wilderness Reserve. It's slated to include professional chefs and a spa, a swimming pool, a hot tub and a party room. It also recently received a license to serve alcohol 24 hours per day. Village residents are upset that they have already experienced four years of construction noise during the initial development phase and they believe things are only likely to get worse once the project is completed and the doors to the venue open. Their concerns include the traffic that the facility will bring in, the potential for illegal drugs and drunkenness — especially with the 24-hour liquor license — and the noise that will be created by the party room. They also worry about guests coming into the village itself and visiting their small local pub, as well as the wildlife being displaced and the light pollution the facility will create. "Guests are picked up in Land Rover taxis and helicopters pick them up and land all over the village,' Nina Roe, another resident said. 'These aren't noiseless vehicles. We've been misled.' Residents have expressed their dissatisfaction to the local Parish Council, but their objections have so far gone unheeded, leaving the residents fearing they're fighting a battle they can't win. Read more: Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) The village facing the challenges mentioned above is in the UK, but things like this happen throughout the U.S. as well. Developers who don't understand the character of communities may propose projects that have local residents up in arms, and fighting against these planned projects can be a challenge if cash-strapped local governments are often eager for the added revenue these new facilities can bring. If you are facing a similar issue where you live, your best bet is to understand the local rezoning and development laws and the details of the proposal. If the existing zoning rules allow for the type of development that's taking place, it could be very difficult or impossible to stop it because it would most likely be a by-right development that may not be open to opposition, according to Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR). If the project would require rezoning or an exception to current rules, though, you may have a much greater chance of stopping it if a formal public input process takes place. The process varies from state to state or even county to county, according to Planetizen, but a zoning board usually gets involved to review the proposed plan. If developers are asking for a deviation from normal rules, you'll need to contact your local planning office, find out when hearings will be held on the issue and come up with a way to have your stance resonate. You'll want to organize opposition in your community by talking with neighbors and reaching out to the local press, and you'll want to prepare an organized, logical explanation for your objections, says the ELCR. You can share your concerns not only in public hearings but also on social media and by reaching out to local officials — in a polite, professional way. State rational reasons for your objections, ideally backed up by data and research, and consider proposing alternatives that would provide the developer with options that are less disruptive to your community. Ultimately, there's no guarantee of success when these conflicts arise, but the more you can get the public on your side — and pressure local politicians to listen to your concerns — the better your chances of preserving the character of your local area. Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies One dozen eggs in America now costs $4.15 — and $14.35 for a pound of sirloin steak. Both record highs. 3 simple ways to protect your wealth in 2025 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
