Owner of £12m manor where star wed is in bitter row with neighbours

Owner of £12million Georgian manor where Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson got married is plunged into bitter row with neighbours and council for hosting weddings without permission 

It is the £12million Georgian country estate that was the spectacular setting for the wedding of Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson last year.

But now Euridge Manor is at the centre of a bitter row between its fashion-mogul owner and neighbours who are furious about the noisy weddings he’s hosted there without council permission.

Well-heeled residents around Jigsaw founder John Robinson’s 450-acre Wiltshire estate have engaged lawyers to try to limit its use as a venue.

The ten-bedroom Georgian house has become a favourite with celebrities seeking somewhere stylish yet private for their weddings. 

Ms Tomlinson – who played Demelza in the BBC drama Poldark – married rugby star Will Owen last summer. 

Mr Robinson, who played a key role in Prince William and Kate’s courtship and remains a close friend, founded Jigsaw in 1970 and bought Euridge in 1980.

Hiring the estate, complete with an orangery, rose gardens, helicopter landing pad and a ballroom for 150 guests, starts from about £30,000 for the venue alone. It has hosted private events since 2004, but from 2015 began to host weddings more regularly. 

The £12million Georgian country estate that was the spectacular setting for the wedding of Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson last year

However, planning documents show that Mr Robinson was forced to apply for retrospective permission last year. 

His application was rejected but he appealed in November, and the council has yet to make a decision, despite weddings booked for the summer.

Meanwhile, dozens of angry residents have raised objections about increased traffic on the country lanes, ‘thumping music’ until the early hours and celebratory fireworks. 

Sarah Toogood, who lives on a neighbouring farm, said: ‘The desire to convert it into a money-making establishment has come at a great cost to me, my family and numerous other local residents’.

Euridge Manor (right) is at the centre of a bitter row between its fashion-mogul owner John Robinson (left) and neighbours

Tory peer Baron King of Bridgwater lives nearby and has added his objection to the planning application. 

He said: ‘What started as a modest extension to the existing farm enterprise has grown into a major event location and has highlighted how unsuitable the access is for it and the disturbance that it causes to all those living nearby.’

A description on the Manor’s website reads: ‘Our enchanting countryside sanctuary sits amid a large expanse of private grounds – and so much more theatrical grandeur.’

A Euridge spokesman said the venue had a licence allowing civil ceremonies and to serve alcohol, but it had not been aware that planning permission was required due to an ‘honest mistake’.

He added: ‘We are upset that weddings have caused disruption to any local residents and we are working with the local authority to significantly reduce any disruption.’

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