Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge is ordered to tear down ‘intrusive’ gates at his £3million riverside mansion

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has lost a long-running planning battle over security gates installed at his £3 million riverside home and now faces a two-month deadline to demolish them.

The 52-year-old TV star installed the towering black gates and two-metre-high fences after luring unwanted visitors to his private Thames-side address in wealthy Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

The sculptor said the development was necessary to ensure the safety of his wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge, and their 11-year-old son.

But the development put Kerridge in the crosshairs of council planners, who decided the development required planning permission and was contrary to the quiet millionaire enclave.

The two-time Michelin-starred chef has now lost the showdown in an independent planning appeal that upheld the council’s enforcement notices ordering the structures to be demolished.

Kerridge now has just two months to dismantle the gates, fencing and also a wooden garage after authorities decided they were ‘unacceptable’ on the heavily guarded Green Belt land.

The dispute erupted after the couple made dramatic changes to the entrance of their contemporary architect-designed property in 2020 to protect their privacy.

An application was later made for retrospective planning permission, but it was withdrawn following complaints from local residents.

The two-time Michelin-starred chef (pictured with wife Beth) lost the showdown in an independent planning appeal that upheld the council’s enforcement notices ordering the structures to be demolished.

In objecting to the project, neighbor Kathryn Durrant said: ‘We regret to comment on a neighbour’s retrospective request for planning permission; It would be much better if we had this opportunity, formally and unofficially, before the studies were carried out.

‘It’s not easy to comment on a situation like this for fear of creating a bad feeling and I’ve never done it before but this time I feel the need.’

He added: ‘A car park, a gate and a fence were built where no buildings had existed before.

‘Previously any fencing there was made of lower-level, lightweight willow-type screens.

‘The construction is extremely large, cumbersome and not suitable for the area. ‘The building materials used are not the best and the structure is poorly constructed.’

He also claimed that this development made driving in the narrow single-lane lane more difficult, causing large vehicles to turn around in the driveway instead.

‘This is both intrusive and objectionable,’ he added.

Local councilor Mandy Brar also objected, claiming the works were out of character for one of the most exclusive spots on the River Thames.

He wrote: ‘The proposal has a significant impact on the riverside and impacts important views across the Thames.’

Council authorities in Windsor and Maidenhead have taken the decision to enforce the car park in 2023, demanding it be demolished and ‘foreign’ and ‘uncomprehending’ fences and gates removed.

In a scathing letter to the couple, they claimed: ‘This development represents an inappropriate development in the Green Belt and has a detrimental impact on its openness.

Kerridge (pictured) now has just two months to dismantle gates, fences and also a timber garage after officials ruled they were ‘unacceptable’ on heavily guarded Green Belt land

‘It is not clear or proven that there is any very special case which would outweigh the harm caused by the inappropriateness of the development.’

Meanwhile, the car port has been described as ‘oversized’, ‘poorly designed’ and ‘incompatible’ with its lush surroundings.

On appeal, former Saturday Kitchen star Kerridge and her husband argued the doors were necessary due to safety fears.

The celebrity couple claimed they had encountered trespassers and ‘frightening behaviour’ and needed stronger protection of their home.

The couple argued that smaller fences would not achieve their privacy goals because ‘someone could easily climb over them’ and ‘nullify their purpose’.

Planning Inspector Robin Buchanan accepted the couple faced “unwanted public attention” due to their celebrity status, but ruled those concerns did not outweigh the harm to planning.

He said: ‘It is common ground that the appellant and her husband are well-known figures locally and nationally in their respective professions.

‘Given the undisputed evidence of previous trespass and intimidating behavior towards them in the Hideaway, I have no reason to doubt the unwelcome attention of the public while they reside here.

‘The council maintains that other measures may be taken to address real or perceived personal and property safety or privacy concerns, but has not made any recommendations.’

Although the inspector concluded that the gates did not harm the appearance of the area, he ruled that the gates could not remain in place due to the ‘damage’ to the Green Belt.

Mr Buchanan concluded: ‘Gates and fences are unacceptable and should not be given planning permission.’

He also rejected the couple’s request for six months to comply with the municipality’s demolition decision, saying that two months was sufficient time.

An application was later made for retrospective planning permission, but it was withdrawn following complaints from local residents. Pictured: Property

He added: ‘There is little to suggest that demolition or dismantling in sections or parts and the removal of all the resulting materials would be unusually difficult, would require large numbers of workers, or would require special equipment or machinery.

‘There is no obvious reason why finding a suitable contractor to undertake this routine work should any longer take an inordinate amount of time. It cannot be said that it cannot be completed within a period of two months.’

Kerridge, who rose to fame on BBC cooking show Great British Menu, fronts a six-restaurant empire reportedly worth more than £35 million.

Acclaimed Marlow gastropub The Hand and Flowers has two Michelin stars, while nearby The Coach also has one Michelin star.

He also owns Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at the Corinthia hotel in central London and The Chalk in Chelsea.

Ms Cullen-Kerridge, 56, is a world-renowned sculptor. The couple has been married for more than 25 years.

Kerridge has been contacted for comment.