Famous film-maker Guy Ritchie, who owns Ashcombe estate, near Tollard Royal, has ridden a storm involving horse owners using a right of way on his land.
He planned to extend his brewery at the £9 million listed premises by demolishing a semi-derelict barn and creating a new brewery store and bottle store. But the British Horse Society – whose president is Martin Clunes – objected. The society claimed the new build could obstruct the course of a mile-long stretch of byway popular with its members.
The objection was withdrawn and the application to Wiltshire Council planners was given the green light just two days before pubs were permitted to re-open.
The Society added a comment to the planning application, made by Ashcombe Estate Ltd, which said it withdrew its objections after additional plans and assurances from the applicant’s agent to the council that the by-way would not be obstructed in any way by the proposed development.
The application included the statement: ‘The success of the brewery at Ashcombe continues. A small bottling plant had been installed within the main brewery building but there is a pressing need for more storage space. The brewery expansion continues and two further employees will shortly be required.”