Richard Curtis, who created Four Weddings and Funeral as well as Love Actually, is embroiled in his own drama over plans to build 30 pitches in a celeb-crammed village
Love Actually legend Richard Curtis has swapped red carpets for red tape – after a bust-up over a planned campsite in his swanky Suffolk village.
The rom-com king has been embroiled in his own drama over plans to build 30 pitches in celeb-crammed Walberswick. The seaside haven is also home to actress Keira Knightley, Bourne trilogy director Paul Greengrass, Walking Dead star David Morrissey, and radio DJ Simon Mayo.
Four Weddings and Funeral writer Richard, 68, objected to the campsite in “the strongest terms”, claiming it would wreck the “remarkable” village he adores. But the local authority has granted approval for the camp.
In a letter to East Suffolk Council, Richard and his wife Emma Freud warned it would “destroy the ecosystem and balance,” adding: “We find this plan so worrying.” The couple fear a summer invasion of tents, traffic jams and tossed takeaway boxes would ruin their tranquil coastal gem which they boast has a “unique mix of nature, history and peacefulness”.
Suffolk superfan Richard often gushes about his love of the county and says the area has inspired many of his films. He previously said he feels “amazingly lucky” to have a home in Walberswick.
Emma’s family have had a home in the village since her family fled the Nazis in the 1930s.
Landowner Sir Charles Blois, who lodged the application, insists it’s only a “modest venture” which would run for just two months a year. His plans were submitted in April and a decision was made in November to grant prior approval with conditions.
Miffed Richard and Emma say their beloved village is already under siege from LionLink, a National Grid scheme linking Britain’s power to the Netherlands.
Emma’s author cousin, Esther Freud – whose book Hideous Kinky became a film starring Kate Winslet – was also involved in a fight against the project.
East Suffolk Council said in its approval document: “As local planning authority hereby give notice that prior approval is required and hereby granted for the above development proposed in your application and plan(s) attached thereto. This means that the proposal is permitted development and does not require planning permission.”
There were two conditions attached, to add an ‘interpretation sign at the pedestrian exit from the site highlighting the importance of habitats’ and that any development be carried out according to locally recognised approved planning documents.
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