Ronald Burkle, who is from the US, wants to build the six-bedroom home in Little Tew after his proposals were rejected on two occasions by West Oxfordshire District Council, the Oxford Mail reported. 

The planned home, under three miles from Soho Farmhouse, will be arranged around a “Pantheon” hall.

A gun room, wine store, stables, gardens, swimming pool and pool pavilion, as well as a solar farm and new lake are included in the plans. 

Some nearby residents have expressed concerns over the proposals, previously describing the mansion as a “truly outstanding grotesquery”.

In 2022, West Oxfordshire District Council rejected an earlier version of the proposals. 

In 2025, it refused the development once more, arguing the proposal lacked architectural merit and that its effect on Little Tew was greater than its possible economic advantages.

But Burkle appealed the decision and the Planning Inspectorate has now overturned West Oxfordshire District Council’s refusal.

In a five-day planning inquiry taking place in September, the council had defended its decision but withdrew its case following evidence being heard on the third and fourth days.

It later took a “neutral” position and withdrew the evidence it had submitted.

In its ruling, the Planning Inspectorate rejected arguments that the development would harm protected areas or damage the setting of the historic Great Tew and Heythrop estates.

Providing apprenticeships in stonemasonry and plastering, creating a new public footpath and delivering three decades of habitat management are the conditions attached to the approval.

Burkle must also contribute £12,000 towards ensuring the project adheres to environmental requirements.

With an estimated net worth of $3.4 billion (£2.5 billion), Burkle is the largest shareholder in Soho House.

In 2015, Soho Farmhouse opened near Great Tew and is one of the countryside outposts run by the Soho House members’ club group.