A billionaire hedge fund manager has been warned he could face enforcement action over ‘unlawful’ work carried out near his 100-bed mansion.
Chris Rokos, who is estimated to be worth £2.5billion, has carried out several projects at Tottenham House as he looks to restore the historic Grade I-listed mansion back into a family home.
Building a tennis pavilion, a pool house and an underground tunnel are just a few of the plans that Mr Rokos is hoping to get the green light for at his sprawling estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire.
But his latest proposal for an ‘accessway’ for agricultural purposes was withdrawn after the local parish council objected.
Wiltshire Council said it was made aware that works had been carried out without the necessary approvals and that it was investigating after a formal complaint was lodged.
Mr Rokos’ team said a fresh application was imminent, but the council warned that if the approval was not granted then Mr Rokos could face enforcement.
Tory councillor Nick Botterill said: ‘We have written to the planning agent who is representing the landowner to inform them that the works are unlawful and could be liable to enforcement action if a planning application is not submitted and subsequently approved.
Chris Rokos, who is estimated to be worth £2.5billion, has carried out several projects at Tottenham House
Tottenham House and Estate was sold in 2019 to new owners and multiple renovations are being carried out
‘The planning agent has confirmed they intend to submit a planning application within the next couple of weeks.
‘Once submitted, the application will follow the normal planning process and consultation.’
An initial ‘prior notification’ application for the work submitted in August was withdrawn after Burbage Parish Council objected.
Tottenham House and Estate was sold in 2019 to new owners and multiple renovations are being carried out.
In another planning application currently being considered by Wiltshire Council for changes to its masterplan, the planning agent said the new owners have ‘displayed their commitment to the full repair and restoration of the Estate’s buildings and landscape.’
They added: ‘The owners have embarked on an extensive programme of restoration and preservation, carried out to the highest conservation standards.
‘This work is being carried in close collaboration with Historic England, Wiltshire Council and the local community.
‘With its heritage components in the process of being protected and restored, Tottenham House and Estate will be returned to its original purpose – use as a family residence and fully functioning country Estate including ancillary residential and staff accommodation.*
The current Earl of Cardigan, David Brudenell-Bruce (pictured), lost ownership of the house in 2014 following a legal battle with trustees
‘As the restoration of Tottenham House progresses and the prospect of life returning to the Estate edges closer, the focus increasingly turns to new owners’ aspirations and requirements for the Estate.’
The owners are seeking revisions of the approved masterplan including ancillary accommodation for use by the owners, guests and staff.
They want a new estate office, lodge building, maintenance barn, irrigation plant and store, tennis pavilion, pool house with basement squash court and a picture gallery extension to Tottenham House.
It is also proposed to create a subterranean family link between the main house, stables and proposed pool house.
The former owner of Tottenham House, the Earl of Cardigan David Brudenell-Bruce, sold the 4,500-acre Savernake Estate to a developer in 2014 for £11.25million after it had been in the same family for 200 years.
Tottenham House, near Marlborough, was part of the Savernake Estate which dates back to the Norman Conquest when it was a Royal Hunting forest.
The first record of a house in the current location was when Henry VIII visited Sir John Seymour at Wolf Hall and members of the Seymour family are said to have stayed at Tottenham Lodge.
Henry VIII met Jane Seymour at Wolf Hall, marrying her in 1536. This elevated the family and the estate was passed into the personal ownership of the Seymours in 1547.
The estate passed down the female line of the Seymour family to the Bruce family, who became the Brudenell-Bruces.
The current Earl of Cardigan, David Brudenell-Bruce, lost ownership of the house in 2014 following a legal battle with trustees.
MailOnline has contacted Mr Rokos for comment.
