A US businessman who wants to build a classic car museum in the English countryside is facing opposition from more than 250 locals including aristocrats, judges and film star Sir Patrick Stewart.
Peter Mullin is a millionaire philanthropist and classic car collector who is chairman of the famous Petersen Museum in the US.
He now wants to transform part of the Cotswolds into one of the world’s finest car museums along with 28 luxury holiday homes which will only be available to collectors who agree to show their cars on site.
Peter Mullin wants to develop a classic car museum at an airfield in West Oxfordshire as part of a £150million redevelopment which includes 28 luxury holiday homes
Supporters of the redevelopment claim it will help provide 100 permanent jobs
Sir Patrick Stewart has criticised the plan for its ‘elitist’ nature and lack of affordable housing
The plan is to develop Enstone Airfield in West Oxfordshire, but his £150 million proposal, which will take two years and create more than 100 permanent jobs, has attracted fierce criticism from locals.
Sir Patrick Stewart, who owns a house nearby, described the plans as ‘elitist’.
He said: ‘I want to emphasise the disruption, annoyance and inappropriateness of the traffic movements involved.
‘There is also too much of a commercial and elitist aspect to all this. Fabulously expensive historic cars, Bentley cars showroom and houses costing £5-£6 million.
‘This is a greenfield site and there is no mention of affordable housing. This area is of notable beauty, tranquility and is accessible to all, resident and non-residents alike.’
Retired judge Charles Harris QC criticised the plans to convert 60 acres of ‘attractive farmland’ into a ‘large pleasure compound to contain holiday houses for billionaires’.
He said: ‘The illustrations provided do not show elegant Cotswold stone houses, but wood, steel and glass constructions of a kind which might find favour in Sandbanks, but which are not appropriate in an area of natural beauty where planners generally take care to insist upon vernacular construction..’
Planning documents submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council describe the site – which would be called ‘The Mullin At Great Tew’ – as a one-of-a-kind museum, demonstration road, and residential holiday lodge experience.
The museum plan has been proposed by millionaire philanthropist Peter Mullin, pictured
It would house 25 cars from the Mullin Collection, which includes a very rare Bugatti Atlantic worth more than £30 million.
Holiday home owners would supply 25-100 cars at any time and there would be motorsport and design exhibition galleries at the 60,000 sq/ft museum.
Bentley Motors would also have a facility on site under the plans.
More than 250 people have written to the council to object to the plans.
Laws & Fiennes, acting on behalf of Lady Wills of Sandford Park, said the proposed development is in the countryside and is contrary to the local development plan.
They also said ‘the absence of low cost housing in relation to the residential element is contrary to housing policy’.
Sir Patrick Stewart, pictured, is a nearby resident who has objected to the plan
Dozens of locals have shared concerns about increased traffic around the site, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
One person described the plans for a car museum as ‘a figleaf to attempt to justify a blatant attempt to build 28 holiday homes in complete contradition to the local plan’.
They added the holiday homes will have ‘no benefit to the local community’.
Under the plans, Mr Mullin would also make a £12.7 million contribution towards the restoration of the Grade II Listed Tew Park House.
West Oxfordshire District Council is yet to make a decision on the proposal.
But Mr Mullin has defended the plans, which he has called as a ‘legacy project’ where he can share cars from his collection with the public and ‘inspire future generations’.
He said: ‘This project is something I have been considering for many years.
‘All my collection is European and this has become a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring them home.
‘And where better than the epicentre of motor sport and car manufacturing in Britain.
‘I am very proud of what we as a team have proposed, which if approved, will create perhaps the world’s leading automotive park and museum in the world.
‘This is not a business venture for me, it is a legacy project and it is my most sincere desire to share cars from my collection, with the general public and to create a centre of learning to inspire future generations.
‘Furthermore, I will use my influence to bring together other collectors and collections from around the world, many of whom have already shown considerable interest in getting involved.
‘If we are successful in gaining planning permission, we will create something unique here, bringing a whole series of benefits in terms of education and tourism to the economy.
‘It will add considerably to the culture and heritage of the region, as well as transforming a scarred brownfield site, which is totally out of keeping with the surrounding area.’