Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe locked in neighbour row over BEEHIVES and tennis court at his £6million mansion

MANCHESTER United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has won an 18 month planning battle after a neighbour row over beehives and a tennis court.

The 71-year-old billionaire had faced accusations he was turning his seven acre waterside property in Hampshire's New Forest into an "industrial site".

(Sir Jim Ratcliffe was involved in an 18-month planning battle.Credit: AFP)

(He applied for retrospective planning permission for his property in Hampshire's New Forest.Credit: Solent)

(Sir Jim recently became co-owner at Prem giants Manchester United)

Sir Jim, 71, who owns chemical giant Ineos and recently bought 25 per cent of shares in Manchester United, built two huge barns, a tennis court and a pergola without consent.

The British businessman, who recently ran the London Marathon, applied for retrospective permission from the planning authority in 2022.

And the Red Devils supremo has now been granted planning permission for developments at his £6million holiday home which included a honey-making factory.

Ranked as Britain's second wealthiest man with an estimated worth of £29 billion, the petrochemicals magnate has now successfully argued his case after a protracted process.

It means he won't be forced to abandon his beekeeping facility at the estate near Beaulieu.

Sir Jim's passion for apiary is spelt out n planning documents submitted by his agent.

"The applicant places very great value on home produced garden produce and as part of this he has commenced beekeeping at the site and has established a number of beehives in order to supply himself and his family with honey," it says.

The report said the application 'seeks consent to regularise' works that had already taken place at the site, including: a tennis court, pergola, works to walled garden, associated landscaping and external lighting.

Objecting to the plans in November 2022, Mr J Harrow of nearby Lymington made a dig at Brexiteer Sir Jim's 2020 relocation to Monaco, a move that was said to have saved him an estimated £4 billion in tax.

Mr Harrow said: "Yet more development from an industrialist who seems intent on turning this stretch of the Hampshire coast into an industrial site.

Despite the objection, the plan were approved last week by the NFNPA subject to a number of conditions.

Last December it was announced he had bought 25 per cent of shares of Prem giants Man United, from the Glazer family, which was completed in February.

(Sir Jim Ratcliffe finishes the 2024 London Marathon.Credit: Getty)

Ref: Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe locked in neighbour row over BEEHIVES and tennis court at his £6million mansion (thesun)

Photo Credit: AFP, Solent,Getty