Charlotte Church recently revealed her plans to open an eco-friendly wellness retreat in her native Wales but officials have since raised concerns. Jeremy Clarkson, who has branched into farming, has addressed the opera singer’s business move.
The 35-year-old reportedly spent £1.5 million for the former home of fashion designer Laura Ashley in the Elan Valley, Powys.
The singer wants to transform Rhydoldog House into a carbon-neutral wellbeing and healing retreat with four log cabins on the grounds as tourist accommodation.
But highway officials have objected to the application due to concerns about the suitability of access to the retreat from a narrow country lane.
They also raised concerns about the volume of traffic as a result of the retreat.
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He added: “And what’s more, the sort of people who want to spend their holiday time at a wellness retreat in Wales will probably walk there anyway.”
In the application, it is suggested the retreat and log cabins would create up to 30 vehicle movements a day – 15 arrivals and 15 departures.
But council officers disputed this, claiming actual traffic volume would be “significantly higher”, and said proposed new passing places for vehicles were unsuitable.
“Based on the above, the highway authority does not support this application, on the basis that the development as proposed, will create an unacceptable risk to highway safety,” a council highways official said.
Natural Resources Wales also said it had concerns over “inadequate information” provided about protected sites.
If the retreat does receive planning permission to go ahead, it will provide accommodation for a maximum of 17 guests.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Jeremy’s plan to open a restaurant in his lambing shed at Diddly Squat Farm in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds has been opposed by planners, according to Oxford Mail.
The presenter, who fronts his hit show Clarkson’s Farm, has brought countless visitors to the area after the Amazon Prime show aired last year.