£70m Cameron tsar steamrollers over park planning rules
Shares row Emma in stately home storm
A FORMER No10 adviser is locked in a war of words with officials after steaming ahead with unauthorised work at her stately home.
Emma Harrison – reportedly worth £70million – is putting in a new road and car park at 12th Century Thornbridge Hall.
But planners say the sensitive work at the Grade II-listed site does not have permission and some locals have got the hump.
One said: “Emma seems to think she can do as she likes.”
Officials want the work put on hold. But Mrs Harrison – who quit as then Tory PM David Cameron’s “Back To Work” tsar amid a row over her earnings – blames a “misunderstanding”.
And just days ago, a steamroller cranked into gear as workmen were seen at the idyllic estate near Ashford in the Water, Derbys.
Thornbridge boasts a music room, pool and spa, a bar, nightclub, vast dining room, 16 bedrooms and 42 loos.
Its gardens are open to the public and the hall can be hired for weddings and other functions.
The Peak District National Park Authority said no permission had been granted for the work.
A spokesman said: “The
NPA is aware of works to construct a driveway, car park and substantial wood-framed building. Concerns were raised in early March and the authority contacted the owners.
PRIVILEGE
“Planning permission has not been sought and would have been required. The authority has advised the works be put on hold. The site includes listed buildings and gardens and is a sensitive location for any form of development. The authority is investigating.”
Mrs Harrison, 57, and her husband Jim paid £5million for the home in 2002. She said looking after the estate was an “utter privilege and an enormous responsibility”.
She added: “There have been several meetings with the Peak Park. We are working to submit a retrospective application within an agreed time frame for works completed.
“We will also submit further
This is a sensitive location with listed buildings and gardens.. we are investigating PLANNING CHIEF SPEAKING FOR PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
applications for the continued development of Thornbridge that works towards our mission that it has a forever future as a wonderful community resource. Workshops, meeting spaces and more.
“Local groups, experts and schools are over the moon we have invested in the infrastructure that now means they can visit all year round. I will never allow Thornbridge to be in the shocking, near derelict state that the Peak Park let happen on their watch.”
Mrs Harrison, who once appeared on TV’s Secret Millionaire, founded Action 4 Employment, which handled millions of pounds worth of public sector
IDYLLIC 12th Century Thornbridge contracts to get people back to work. She stepped down as chair and government tsar in 2012 amid outcry when she got £8.6million in share dividends, on top of a £365,000 salary.
Six A4E staff were jailed for a £300,000 fraud in 2015.
There was no suggestion Mrs Harrison was involved.