Film and television comedian and presenter Griff Rhys Jones has joined the battle to prevent seven contemporary looking houses being built in the farm yard next to Erwarton Hall.

The application asks permission for the conversion, repair, and extension of existing farm buildings to form five dwellings, erection of garage, the demolition of buildings (including the existing Dutch Barn and metal clad barn), the erection of two more new dwellings, provision of new vehicular access to The Street and associated landscaping.

Mr Jones, who lives in Stutton on the Shotley peninsula, has written to Babergh planners outlining his objections to the application by Erwarton landowner JRH Veenbaas. These include the proximity to the Gatehouse at Erwarton Hall and its location outside the villages built up area boundary and within the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (AONB).

The Gatehouse was given a Grade One listed status in December, (full story here...) while the Grade II* listed hall was formerly owned by Anne Boleyn's aunt and uncle, with the former queen a regular visitor before marrying Henry VIII.

Mr Jones said: "This plan for so many houses on a rural site continues to threaten the character and setting of what is a now a, justifiably, a Grade One listed monument. This timely recognition should certainly be a more powerful influence on any decision than a few designs for a new hedge.

"Given that this proposal would still contradict Babergh Core strategy for the country side and areas of outstanding natural beauty, it must simply be rejected."

Babergh has received a number of objections from statutory bodies including the Erwarton Parish Meeting, AONB, Suffolk Preservation Society, the Stour and Orwell Society and 36 private individual from across the country.

Erwarton Parish stated villagers supported the principle of houses being built on the site, however were unhappy with the design, harm to Listed Building, landscape Impact and say it would be out of character with the area.

As the location is not suitable for the usual 35% affordable home provision, Babergh will be seeking a commuted sum of £151k towards two two-bedroom home in the district.

The agents for the developer concluded in its design and access statement it considers that the proposed development represents an appropriate proposal for residential development and delivers sustainable development as supported by national and local planning policy.

Mr Jones' letter was published on the Babergh website during the week and is in the public domain. It reads in full:

and signed Griff Rhys Jones OBE.

Details of the application can be found on the Babergh planning website here using reference DC/20/03083.