Geri and Christian Horner have successfully gained retrospective planning permission for an outdoor pizza oven and gazebo at their Oxfordshire estate, following initial objections from neighbors and heritage experts. The couple had constructed the structures without prior consent at their £9.2 million Grade II listed mansion.
Planning officers granted approval on Monday after the height of the gazebo and its pizza oven flue were reduced. A report from the council concluded that the modifications would not negatively impact the living conditions of neighboring properties, citing that the domestic nature of the use would not generate excessive noise or activity. The report also stated that the development would maintain an acceptable level of privacy, daylight, and outlook for surrounding residents.
An earlier application for the oak-framed gazebo, pizza oven, and pergola was refused last year. Several neighbors had formally objected, raising concerns about the structures ruining the "tranquillity" of the village and questioning why construction had proceeded without approval. One neighbor noted that a "30 foot long pergola was missed" during council inspections.
The couple reapplied for planning permission in January, with the pergola approval being granted in March. Subsequently, they resubmitted a second application for the oak-framed gazebo and brick-built pizza oven in the same month, having reduced the height of both by 300 meters. Building work on the gazebo had reportedly begun in April of the previous year, though it remained uncompleted.
This planning dispute is the latest in a series of ongoing issues at the property. In March, the couple received approval for a £30,000 horse walker, which they are building for their OMBI horse racing company. This structure, intended for 14 horses, also faced local objections regarding its height and visual impact on the rural conservation area. Despite commitments to plant new trees to mitigate the visual impact, several formal objections were lodged. However, West Northamptonshire District Council granted permission for the horse walker under strict conditions, limiting its use to private equestrian and land management purposes only, and prohibiting any commercial activities.
The council's report for the horse walker stated that while the structure has a steep pitched roof, its general design is functional and considered appropriate for the open countryside location, not harming the area's character. Objectors, however, had argued that the proposed structure would be highly visible from neighboring properties and a public highway, fundamentally altering the character of the conservation area.