Jonathan Ross Seeks Approval for Large Barn on Luxury Farm
The television presenter has applied for permission to build a 16-meter barn, stating it's for agricultural machinery, not entertainment.
Jonathan Ross has submitted a planning application to Dorset Council for the construction of a 16-meter-long agricultural storage building at his Grade II-listed farm in Swanage. Ross, who lives on the non-working farm valued at £2 million, asserts the proposed barn is intended solely to house garden machinery and tractors used for maintaining his six-acre property.
The planning statement, prepared by AddisonRees Planning Consultancy Ltd, clarifies that the barn would be ancillary to the farm complex and not serve as a recreational facility or introduce a separate commercial use. It is slated to be 16 meters long and six meters wide, finished with cedar cladding above a brick plinth and a traditional tiled roof. The structure will accommodate larger agricultural machinery, secure land management equipment, and a small workshop.
Ross's planning team emphasized that the barn's design and location would minimize visibility from public vantage points and would not negatively impact the amenity of neighboring properties through loss of light or privacy. The farm already features an orchard, stables, and a 50-meter indoor swimming pool.
This application comes as Ross is actively opposing a separate development proposal for a housing estate near his property. Developers aim to convert the former Harrow House International College into 73 homes, a reduction from an initial plan for 93 units after facing significant objections. Ross, along with other residents, has voiced concerns that the new homes, particularly if built to a greater height, would overlook his property, causing a "distressing loss of privacy" and a "great deal of stress." He also cited potential impacts on local traffic, amenities, and wildlife, noting his own refusal of developers' offers to buy his land due to environmental concerns.
Despite revisions to the housing development plans, opposition persists. The developers state that the reduction in the number of houses directly addresses feedback from planning officers. However, the town council has maintained its strong objection, particularly regarding the lack of genuinely affordable housing within the proposed development.