Descendants of Henry 'Chips' Channon Face Planning Row Over Motocross Track
Family embroiled in dispute with neighbors over unpermitted motocross facilities on country estate once described as a 'dream of quiet well-bred tranquillity'.
The descendants of society diarist Henry 'Chips' Channon are embroiled in a planning dispute with neighbors over motocross tracks and buildings constructed without permission on the family's multi-million pound Essex estate, Kelvedon Hall. The estate has applied retrospectively to Brentwood Council to retain the facilities, which are currently in use for riding sessions.
Planning documents indicate that the tracks operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The application seeks to expand usage to include more frequent private and corporate sessions. Those behind the project had initially believed that activity could occur for up to 28 days annually without requiring planning permission. However, the council became involved following a noise complaint in April.
Kelvedon Hatch Parish Council flagged the operation as a potential statutory noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Noise tests conducted at the estate involved eight motocross bikes, and consultants have also modeled the potential impact of up to 20 bikes operating simultaneously. A planned motocross event, 'The Only Way Is SX,' was postponed until 2027 due to the ongoing planning issues.
Kelvedon Hall also serves as the base for 'The Right Track,' a program that utilizes motocross and other activities to engage with young people, including offenders and those at risk of re-offending. This project has previously received praise from Essex Police for providing a valuable opportunity for youngsters.
The Grade I-listed Georgian mansion, built in 1743, was acquired by the American-born Conservative MP and socialite Henry 'Chips' Channon in 1937. Channon famously described the estate in his diaries as 'a dream of quiet well-bred tranquillity,' a sentiment he reiterated as he restored the property with architect Gerald Wellesley. He continued to express his affection for Kelvedon in his writings until his death in 1958, calling it 'perfection, a paradise for Paul,' his son.
The estate passed to his son Paul, later Lord Kelvedon, and then to Paul's son Henry. Following Henry's death in 2021, the ownership transferred to his widow, Katie Channon. The family holds connections to the Guinness brewing dynasty through marriage. The council is currently reviewing the retrospective planning application for the motocross facilities.