Former Top Gear star Richard Hammond has been given the go ahead to renovate a party barn at his 15th Century Grade II listed £2million castle – but he will have to share his home with a rare breed of bats.
The Grand Tour presenter won a battle with conservationists over revamping his country estate near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, and submitted two planning applications.
But ecologists also noted that parts of the historic castle could have the potential to house the flying mammals.
Historic England also warned that the Grand Designs-style makeover plans could impact on the attractiveness of part of his 15th century property.
Hammond, 49 – nicknamed The Hamster – wanted to add five-bedrooms to house family and friends and revamp a swimming pool.
An aerial view of Richard Hammond’s 15th Century Grade II listed castle (pictured above), which cost £2million. He has submitted two planning applications for the six-bedroom property and won a battle with conservationists over renovations, but was warned by ecologists the historic building could have the potential to house a rare breed of bat
The Grand Tour presenter and former Top Gear star’s barn (above), which will be subject to a Grand Designs-style makeover. In planning documents, Hammond’s agent Mark Watson said the proposal has been designed as a ‘minimal intervention, bringing light into the middle of the barn while being recessive to the main structure’
A swimming pool (above), currently housed in the barn, is set to be reduced as part of the plans. Hammond purchased the property, which has 20 acres of land, for himself, his wife Mindy, and their two young daughters. Alongside revamping the swimming pool, the TV host also plans to build a glazed extension and add five bedrooms to the building
He also plans to build a bigger conservatory, a boot room, and a secondary stairway between the ground and first floors.
As part of the renovations, the TV host also plans to build a glazed extension to link a dining room to a display room to show off his impressive motorbikes collection.
Richard Hammond pictured with his wife Mindy Hammond. The pair married in 2002 and have two daughters
Clarke Webb Ecology, raised concerns about bats and said in a report: ‘There are a small number of external crevices that overlook both proposed extensions and that appear suitable for use as a roost by bats.’
Sarah Lewis, historic buildings inspector, raised concerns about the conservatory, kitchen and boot room and said: ‘Historic England has concerns regarding the applications on heritage grounds.
‘These alterations will impact on significance and should therefore comply with the policy contained in section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
‘A detailed assessment of significance has been undertaken which demonstrates that the kitchen, boot room and conservatory impact on areas of the building that have already been much altered into the twentieth century.
‘The new layout at this level in the east range retains fabric that contributes to significance and introduces partitions and a new stair that respond sensitively to the historic structure.
‘A series of cupboards is proposed to create a dressing room. We are not clear on what form these will take.’
‘These alterations will impact on significance and should therefore comply with the policy contained in section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
‘A detailed assessment of significance has been undertaken which demonstrates that the kitchen, boot room and conservatory impact on areas of the building that have already been much altered into the twentieth century.
Hammond’s plans for his £2million estate (pictured), showing the locations for potential bat roosting ‘enhancements’, as mentioned by case officer Emily Reed, namely the ‘existing boot room with castellated parapet’, ‘gaps below overhanging eaves on NE elevation’ and in the ‘occasional slightly lifted roof tile on overlooking roof slopes SW and NW elevations’
The proposed ground floor plan (pictured). Mr Watson, Hammond’s agent, said the proposal involves ‘alterations to the ground floor to provide space for entertaining guests’. The much-loved TV presenter purchased the property in 2008
Another map of the proposed ground floor plan (above). Bollitree Castle near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, dates back to the 15th century and was originally the home of wealthy merchant Richard Amerike. Castle walls were added in the 18th Cenury
The proposed plan for the barn, which is designed to bring more light into the middle of the area while being ‘recessive to the main structure’. After six months, council bosses have given the go-ahead to both of Hammond’s planning applications
‘The new layout at this level in the east range retains fabric that contributes to significance and introduces partitions and a new stair that respond sensitively to the historic structure.
‘A series of cupboards is proposed to create a dressing room. We are not clear on what form these will take.’
She added: ‘We have similar concerns about the shower room in the principal bedroom in the west range.
‘This room makes a strong contribution to the bedroom of highest status in the early 18th century.
‘The existing front door case does not contribute to significance and has an awkward aesthetic in the context of this mostly designed evolution.’
After six months, council bosses have now given the go-ahead to both proposals after Hammond submitted revised plans for the glazed kitchen, sun room and boot room in January.
But the council told Hammond that he must install two bat boxes within the boundary of these areas.
Case officer Emily Reed said: ‘The proposal looks to alter a designated heritage asset in a way that ensures that the historic and architectural merits of the building are retained and harm is avoided, following the submission of amended plans.
‘This is reinforced by the lack of objection from the Council’s Historic Buildings Officer and Historic England.
The proposed first floor plan (pictured). Mr Watson, Hammond’s agent, said the proposal ‘primarily involves providing additional sleeping accommodation on the first floor’. The council told Hammond that he must install two bat boxes
Another planning application of the proposed first floor plan (above) showing two bedrooms, the master bedroom, master ensuite, dressing room and a bathroom. Internally, a ‘simple detailed oak gallery’ will provide access to the first floor
‘The ecological impacts of the proposal have been assessed above and based on the submitted information are found to be relevant and appropriate.
‘The recommendations within the survey will be conditioned on any approval.
Adding of the conditions on bat protection, she said: ‘Within three months of completion of the works approved under this planning decision notice, evidence of the suitably placed installation within the site boundary of at least two Bat roosting enhancements and two bird nesting boxes should be supplied to and be acknowledged by the local authority.’
Hammond and his wife Mindy at the ‘NHS Heroes Awards’ held at Hilton Park Lane on May 14, 2018, in London
In planning documents, Hammond’s agent Mark Watson wrote: ‘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. A glazed extension provides a link between the dining area and the motorbike display room.
‘The proposal has been designed as a minimal intervention, bringing light into the middle of the barn while being recessive to the main structure.
‘Internally, it is proposed to remove a section of modern floor structure to create a double height dining space with a simple detailed oak gallery providing access to the first floor.’
Bollitree Castle dates back to the 15th century and was originally the home of wealthy merchant Richard Amerike.
Castle walls were added in the 18th century but they are now crumbling in places and the small panes of an arched widow have been smashed.
The castle also has a stable yard which is graced by various gargoyle statues and carvings and surrounded by a moat with 12ft high hedges and an imposing iron gate.
Hammond purchased the property in 2008 for £2million.
It comes after Oasis legend Noel Gallagher encountered a similar problem at his Hampshire property last year.
The pop star was planning to remove a wall on the first floor of the property and rearrange internal partitions to create an enlarged dressing room and en-suite bathrooms.
But ecologists found an active bat roost in the roof of the £8 million mansion meaning the former Oasis star will have to switch off all lights on the first floor until they are replaced – because they are ’emitting light and high frequency noise into the roof void’.