Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s highly anticipated pop-up bakery, slated to open at his historic Spains Hall estate, has hit an unexpected snag. What was intended as a month-long trial faced an abrupt halt just days before its scheduled opening, all due to a significant planning blunder by local authorities during the essential consultation process. This delay has cast uncertainty over the immediate future of the Jamie Oliver Bakery venture.
The renowned chef had sought planning permission to repurpose a former stable block on his Grade I listed property, dating back to around 1570, into a temporary takeaway bakery. The trial was poised to commence swiftly, with council planners having set a determination deadline for July 25. However, this ambitious timeline was disrupted after it came to light that a crucial neighbouring property had not been properly consulted on the plans.
Braintree District Council has since confirmed the delay, attributing it to an oversight in their procedural fairness protocols. Despite no formal objections being registered against Oliver’s proposal, the council deemed it necessary to rectify the council error to ensure all potentially affected parties had the opportunity to comment. This adherence to duty, as outlined in their Scheme of Delegation, meant a new, extended consultation period was required.
A spokesperson for the council elaborated on the situation, stating, “During our review of the consultation process, it came to our attention that some neighbouring properties had not been formally notified. In the interests of transparency and procedural fairness, we considered it necessary to carry out additional consultation.” This commitment to due process, while causing a short delay, underscores the importance of thorough public engagement in local development projects.
The oversight, understood to be a missed notification during the application check, mandates a 21-day consultation period. Consequently, a decision on the pop-up shop is now not expected until August 14 at the earliest. This revised timeline directly impacts Oliver’s original vision of operating the bakery throughout August, seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm, putting the entire month-long operation into jeopardy.
Oliver, listed as the applicant, submitted a comprehensive set of supporting documents through his representatives to Braintree District Council. These documents aimed to demonstrate the minimal impact of the proposed temporary change of use, emphasizing its potential benefits within a rural setting without causing detrimental heritage, traffic, or amenity issues.
The plans detailed that public access would be restricted to the main open-plan room and toilets on the ground floor, with no physical alterations required internally or externally to the historic building. Furthermore, the proposal ensures no impact on soft landscaping or habitat, highlighting a considerate approach to the sensitive Grade I listed site. This celebrity news story underscores the complexities even high-profile figures face in local planning.
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