Richard Hammond’s plans to refurbish his Welsh mansion could be hit by major delays after bats were discovered on the estate.
The Top Gear star has filed an application to add a padel court and car showroom to the historic Georgian manor in Llanwenarth, near Abergavenny, which he reportedly bought for £1.9m earlier this year.
But a recent bat survey undertaken at the property could put a halt to his plans after surveyors discovered eight species of the furry creatures roosting and hunting on the 21-acre estate grounds.
Common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelles, and brown long-eared bats were among the species identified by surveyors foraging and commuting around the barn and nearby gardens and woodland.
The survey means Mr Hammond, 56, will be forced to apply for a protected species development licence from Natural Resources Wales to be able to make renovations to carry out his proposed barn conversion.
Surveyors warned any work to the barn without mitigation in place risks disturbing or losing the bats’ roosts. It is an offence to kill, injure, take or disturb a bat, or to destroy, damage, obstruct or otherwise interfere with a bat roost, breeding site or resting place.
“The habitats on site at The Pentre support a diverse assemblage of bat species, providing essential foraging and commuting resources to local bat populations and connectivity with the wider environment, which is also of high suitability to bats,” surveyors wrote.
In planning documents, Mr Hammond’s agents wrote that their proposals had been designed “to minimise intervention to historic fabric, retain the dominance and architectural hierarchy of the principal building, and ensure that all new development remains subordinate to the existing house.”
Estate agents describe the mansion as “a commanding example of Georgian architecture” that is “surrounded by about 21 acres of the former historic farm estate”.
Mr Hammond purchased the mansion after divorcing from his ex-wife Mindy in 2025. His plans for the home include erecting a showroom for his 30-strong vintage car collection, which includes a classic Mustang and a number of Jaguars.
He posted a video of his cars being delivered to the house earlier this year, saying he was “so excited”.
"This is a big day for me and one I've been looking forward to, he posted on social media. “My cars are coming home today, right now, and here they come. These are cars that have been away being modified or repaired.
"Mustang dark horse, now with 868 horsepower. My old Mustang with new suspension repaired, and my tangerine dream, my Raptor, returned to me.
"I moved house recently, these cars have never lived here, and they're home! My babies are back! I know, I'm childish, but I'm excited."
The application was submitted last month and consultation closes on 16 September.
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