R
esidents in the small Suffolk village of Huntingfield are fighting a "David and Goliath" battle against billionaire Jon Hunt's plan to turn his luxury holiday firm's Blyth Barn into a 288-person wedding venue. The venue, which will offer professional chefs and spa therapists, has been approved for a 24-hour alcohol license despite concerns from locals.

    The village, with a population of just 150, is worried about the impact on their rural idyll. Residents claim they were initially told there would be a "rural retreat" but now face an entertainment center that will bring noise, traffic, and potential disturbances to the area.

    Lorraine Brennan, who has lived in the village for eight years, said residents feel disregarded and unconsidered in favor of profit. She expressed concerns about drunken behavior, drug taking, and a lack of security, as well as the venue's potential to disrupt the village's peaceful atmosphere.

    The Wilderness Reserve, owned by Jon Hunt, founder of estate agency Foxtons, has also applied for "part retrospective" planning permission to reconfigure three approved holiday lets into a single guest house. The 17-room property will feature a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, gym, and party room.

    Residents are particularly upset about the approval of a 24-hour alcohol license, which they claim will lead to noise pollution, traffic congestion, and disruptions to their daily lives. They argue that the venue's impact on the village has been underestimated, and that the council's conditions for the license do not go far enough to mitigate these concerns.

    The venue is set to open in May 2025, but residents are determined to fight against what they see as a threat to their community.