Villagers object to airbase car museum

A PLAN to build a “worldclass” motor museum and holiday lodges designed by architect Norman Foster may seem like an imaginative use of an abandoned Second World War RAF base.

That’s not how it has gone done in the Cotswold village of Great Tew. Residents fear the proposals will spell the end of their rural idyll.

The plan at former RAF Enstone is for a museum to house a collection of classic cars owned by Peter Mullin, 78, a US billionaire. More than 250 residents have objected, including Sir Patrick Stewart, the actor, over traffic concerns.

They also object to plans by Kieran Hedigan, an Irish businessman, to raise £20million for the museum by building 28 homes with a price tag of up to £6million each, arguing this could “never otherwise be justified in planning terms”, Hamish Laing, 39, who lives in nearby Westcote Barton, told the Financial Times.

Mr Hedigan. “They say it’s elitist, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”