Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has lost a long-running planning battle over security gates installed at his £3million riverside home – and now faces a two-month deadline to tear them down.
The TV star, 52, installed the towering black gates and two-metre tall fencing after attracting unwanted visitors to his exclusive Thames-side address in affluent Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
He said the development was necessary to ensure the safety of his sculptor wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge, and their 11-year-old son.
But the construction put Kerridge in the crosshairs of council planners, who ruled that the development required planning permission – and was out of keeping with the tranquil millionaire enclave.
The twice Michelin-starred chef has now lost a showdown at an independent planning appeal, which upheld council enforcement notices ordering the structures to be demolished.
Kerridge now has just two months to dismantle the gates, fencing – and also a timber carport – after officials ruled they were ‘unacceptable’ on heavily-protected Green Belt land.
The dispute erupted after the couple made the striking changes at the entrance to their contemporary architect-designed property in 2020 to protect their privacy.
Retrospective planning permission was later applied for, only to be withdrawn after complaints from local residents.
The TV star, 52, installed the towering black gates and two-metre tall fencing (pictured) after attracting unwanted visitors to his exclusive Thames-side address in affluent Marlow, Buckinghamshire
The twice Michelin-starred chef (pictured, with his wife Beth) has now lost a showdown at an independent planning appeal, which upheld council enforcement notices ordering the structures to be demolished
Neighbour Kathryn Durrant said in an objection to the scheme: ‘It is with regret we are commenting on a neighbour’s retrospective request for planning permission – it would have been much better to have had the opportunity informally and formally before works were carried out.
‘It is not easy to comment on such a situation for fear of creating bad feeling and I have never done so before, but I do feel a need to on this occasion.’
She added: ‘The carport, gate and fence have been built where no structures existed before.
‘Any fencing there previously was made of lower level, lightweight willow-type screens.
‘The construction is exceptionally large, bulky and out of keeping with the area. The construction materials used are not the best and the structure is poorly built.’
She also claimed the development had made driving down the narrow single-track lane more difficult, with large vehicles instead turning in her driveway.
‘That is both intrusive and inconvenient,’ she added.
Local councillor Mandy Brar also objected, claiming the works jarred with the character of one of the most exclusive spots along the River Thames.
She wrote: ‘The proposal has a significant impact on river frontage, and affects important views along the Thames.’
Council officials at Windsor and Maidenhead took enforcement action in 2023, demanding the carport be demolished and the ‘alien’ and ‘unsympathetic’ fencing and gates dismantled.
In a stern letter to the couple, they claimed: ‘The development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt and has a harmful impact on its openness.
Kerridge (pictured) now has just two months to dismantle the gates, fencing – and also a timber carport – after officials ruled they were ‘unacceptable’ on heavily-protected Green Belt land
‘No very special circumstances are apparent or have been demonstrated, that would outweigh the harm caused by the development’s inappropriateness.’
The car port, meanwhile, was described as being of ‘excessive size’, ‘poor design’ and ‘out of keeping’ with its verdant surroundings.
At an appeal, former Saturday Kitchen star Kerridge and his wife argued the gates were necessary because security fears.
The celebrity couple claimed they had faced trespassers and ‘intimidating behaviour’ and required stronger protection for their home.
The couple argued that smaller fences would not achieve their privacy ambitions because ‘someone could easily climb over’, ‘invalidating their purpose’.
Planning Inspector Robin Buchanan accepted the couple faced ‘unwelcome public attention’ due to their celebrity status – but ruled those concerns did not outweigh planning harm.
He said: ‘It is common ground that the appellant and her husband are locally and nationally well-known personalities in their respective professions.
‘Given undisputed evidence of previous trespass and intimidating behaviour towards them at Hideaway, I have no reason to doubt there is unwelcome public attention and for as long as they reside here.
‘The council maintains that other measures could be taken to address actual or perceived personal and property security or privacy concerns but has not suggested any.’
Although the inspector concluded the gates did not damage the appearance of the area, he ruled they could not remain in place because of ‘harm’ to the Green Belt.
Mr Buchanan concluded: ‘The gates and fencing are unacceptable and planning permission should not be granted for them.’
He also rejected the couple’s request for six months to comply with the council’s demolition order, saying two months was ample time.
Retrospective planning permission was later applied for, only to be withdrawn after complaints from local residents. Pictured: The property
He added: ‘There is little to suggest that demolition or dismantling in sections or pieces and removing all resultant materials, would be unusually difficult, require many workers or need specialist equipment or machinery.
‘There is no apparent reason why finding a suitable contractor to undertake this routine work would now take an inordinate amount of time. Nor that it could not then be completed within a two-month period.’
Kerridge, who found fame on the BBC cooking show Great British Menu, fronts a six-restaurant empire reportedly worth more than £35million.
His acclaimed Marlow gastropub The Hand and Flowers holds two Michelin stars, while nearby The Coach also boasts a Michelin star.
He also owns Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at the Corinthia hotel in central London and The Chalk in Chelsea.
Mrs Cullen-Kerridge, 56, is a world-renowned sculptor. The couple have been married for more than 25 years.
Kerridge has been contacted for comment.
