Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond wants to build a secure garage to house his huge motor collection after thieves struck at his £2million country retreat.
The 50-year-old TV star, known as the ‘Hamster’, has submitted plans to create a secure parking area for around a dozen cars and motorbikes he owns at his six-bedroom Herefordshire castle, near Ross-on-Wye.
The proposals revealed thieves have struck at his countryside manor. Hammond has owned around 30 cars, including a Jaguar Roadster, a vintage Porsche and several Land Rovers, as well as numerous motorbikes.
Solihull-born Hammond also wants to renovate the stables at his home and build a barn to store them safely.
Richard Hammond bought the Grade II-listed Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire near Ross-on-Wye for £2million in 2008
Richard Hammond lives at the property with his wife Mindy (pictured together in London in May 2018) and their two children
Hammond has submitted plans to create a secure parking area for around a dozen cars and motorbikes he owns
The plans state: ‘There is no storage provision for any farm or equestrian vehicles and their equipment. These are currently left outside, recently leading to the theft of tractor parts.
‘The owner has a collection of cars and motorcycles which support his work as a motoring journalist. Currently these are housed ‘ad hoc’ in the listed barns or in the open courtyard.
‘Secure storage and parking for this collection of vehicles is fundamental to the owners needs. Removal of these vehicles from the listed buildings is also desired so that they can be used domestically.’
The plans state that the Grand Tour host needs 11 parking bays for his car and motorcycle collection, as well as space for two Land Rovers. Hammond also wants space for his wife Mindy, 55, to store equestrian equipment.
The barn will also house tractors and a combine harvester for farming, and equipment for the family’s staff. He bought the Grade II-listed castle for £2million in 2008, and lives there with his wife and their two daughters.
The plans for the new parking area say ‘there is no storage provision for any farm or equestrian vehicles and their equipment’
The plans state that he host needs 11 parking bays for his car and motorcycle collection, as well as space for two Land Rovers
Hammond wants to renovate the stables at his home and build a barn to store his vehicles safely, with the plans shown above
The sprawling 20-acre site has six bedrooms, extensive outbuildings and a swimming pool. Herefordshire Council is expected to make a decision next month, and there have been no objections from neighbours so far.
However another project by the Grand Tour presenter has become embroiled in a planning battle. Last year, he had proposals accepted to turn the 200-year-old barn in the grounds into a plush party venue for guests to stay in.
Herefordshire Council agreed he could build five bedrooms, with a heated swimming pool gym. There was also going to be a glazed extension to link a dining room to a showroom for his motorbike collection.
Now Hammond has applied to add en-suites to every guest room and add an additional bedroom. But Historic England slapped down the proposals, saying the designs ‘harm the aesthetic and architectural value’ of the castle.
Last year, he had proposals accepted to turn the 200-year-old barn in the grounds into a party venue for guests to stay in
Herefordshire Council agreed he could build five bedrooms, with a heated swimming pool gym. The current pool is pictured
Hammond has ‘a collection of cars and motorcycles which support his work as a motoring journalist’, according to the plans
Sarah Lewis, inspector of historic buildings, wrote: ‘We consider that the barns form part of the setting of the Grade II-listed building.
‘The new design for the glazed link alters their external appearance to a degree that will impact on the contribution they make to the significance of the castle.’
She added: ‘We are concerned that the flat roof of the proposed and externalisation of structural supports raises the eaves and creates a more visually intrusive elevation.
‘We are not persuaded that the design draws successfully on the character of the historic barns but consider that it results in harm to aesthetic and architectural value. We therefore urge you to negotiate changes that retain the sloping roof form.’
Hammond has owned around 30 cars, including a Jaguar Roadster and several Land Rovers, as well as numerous motorbikes
Hammond wants to renovate the stables at his home in the Herefordshire countryside as part of the redevelopment plans
The former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond wants to build a secure garage to house his huge motor collection
Hammond, who should find out the decision on his party barn later this month, used to present Top Gear and now hosts The Grand Tour with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
The trio traverse the globe in various vehicles, going on adventures and completing tasks. They also review new motors and interview celebrities about their cars.
Hammond almost died in 2006 when his dragster span off the runway at 288mph. He was put into a coma after suffering a head injury when the right tyre blew as he tried to set a speed record at an RAF base near York.
He was airlifted to hospital in Leeds later revealed he experienced depression, paranoia and memory loss due to brain damage suffered.