Richard Hammond hit with demand to flog his flashy cars amid castle planning row
Richard Hammond was hit with criticism to sell his swanky cars amid his castle planning row over a new barn to protect his vehicles
Richard Hammond was put under mounting pressure to consider selling his fleet of flashy cars amid the castle planning row.
Naturally as a motorhead and former Top Gear presenter, the BBC star has an envy-inducing collection of expensive cars.
The dad, 50, asked for permission to build a large barn to protect his swanky vehicles at his home Bollitree Castle at Weston-under-Penyard.
But Scottish academic David Cheseldine pleaded the TV star to consider selling off some of his vehicles to make the space he wants.
Mr Cheseldine voiced his concerns about the upcoming plans for a new barn in a letter to the planners.
According to Gloucestershire Live, Mr Cheseldine wrote: “Mr Hammond needs to understand that structures like stable blocks are an established part of the landscape not 'toys' to be razed when they are inconvenient.
“He has been allowed to change Bollitree Castle enough already.
“He knew what it was when he bought it. Further applications for significant changes should not be granted. He is short of safe storage space. Has he considered the option of disposing of a small part of his vast collection of vehicles?”
Richard lives happily with his wife Mindy and his daughters Willow, 16 and Isabella, 19, at the castle.
Despite the criticism from local academic, Herefordshire Council planners have started considering plans for the new barn.
The application stated: “In addition to the agricultural and equestrian use of the estate the owner has a collection of cars and motorcycles which support his work as a motoring journalist.
“Currently these are housed ‘ad hoc’ in the listed barns or in the open courtyard. Secure storage and parking for this collection of vehicles is fundamental to the owner's needs.
“Removal of these vehicles from the listed buildings is also desired so that they can be used domestically.”
The local parish council and English Heritage have no objections to the plans which have been drawn up by John Ford Ford Architecture.
Their mutual concerns regarding veteran trees has led to a landscape plan being put together.
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