Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has reportedly suffered an unexpected setback after spending nearly £2 million on a historic mansion in Wales. The television presenter, 56, recently purchased the Georgian property in Llanwenarth, Monmouthshire, near the market town of Abergavenny, for £1.99 million.Hammond reportedly bought the 21-acre estate with plans to renovate and transform the property, including adding a pavilion, padel court and specially designed display rooms for his collection. However, a recent wildlife survey could force him to rethink parts of those plans.
Eight species of bats found on Richard Hammond’s property
Richard Hammond planned a major makeover for his Welsh mansion, but protected bats could change his renovation plans. (Photo: Savills)
According to reports, eight species of bats have been identified using the estate to roost and hunt. Surveys carried out between June and August reportedly recorded at least two species emerging from a stone barn that Hammond had planned to renovate.The discovery could significantly affect the presenter’s plans because bats are protected under UK law. It is an offence to deliberately disturb, injure or kill bats, as well as damage or destroy their roosts and habitats.The UK government states that a licence may be available in certain circumstances where disturbance or damage to bat habitats cannot be avoided, or where surveys and conservation work are being carried out.As a result, Hammond may now have to incorporate measures such as dedicated roosting spaces, special voids and bat boxes into his renovation plans.
Hammond had described the move as an exciting new chapter
Richard Hammond’s £1.99m Welsh mansion makeover faces a surprising setback after eight protected bat species are found living on the estate. (Photo: Savills)
The property purchase comes around a year after Hammond and his wife of 23 years, Mindy Etheridge, announced that they were separating. Speaking previously about his move, Hammond expressed his excitement about having his cars and belongings in a new home.“I moved house recently. These cars have never lived here and they’re home. My babies are back. I’m childish, but I’m excited,” he said.His planning agents have defended the proposed development, telling The Times that the scheme “been developed through a heritage-led design process” that responds positively to the property’s significance. They also said the plans focus on preserving its architectural and historic interest while securing its long-term conservation through “sensitive repair, restoration and adaptation.”
Richard Hammond continues to stay busy on screen
Away from his property plans, Hammond remains closely connected to the world of motoring. The Grand Tour has been moving into a new phase following the conclusion of the original presenting trio of Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.New presenters Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman are set to take the show forward, with Bourgeois praising the support he received from the original hosts.“They’ve been very supportive, very warm, very open in just saying, ‘Go ahead – make it your own,’” Bourgeois told The Independent, adding that the new team remained committed to keeping car enthusiasm at the heart of the programme.
Hammond opens up about daughter Izzy’s racing career
Hammond has also spoken about his daughter Izzy, 25, and the concern he felt after she crashed during a spell driving a Formula E car earlier this year.Speaking to Metro, the presenter admitted that watching his daughter race could be difficult because of his own experience with motorsport.“It’s a little uncomfortable because I know from personal experience that things can and do go wrong,” he said.“I’m a father, like any other father. I don’t want to see my little girl hurt, but I don’t want to hold her back from opportunities that present themselves.”Hammond added that Izzy is building her own career and said he could only “sit back and watch her do that and only applaud.”
