An American billionaire’s plan to build a home in the English countryside is not going over well with local residents, one of whom said it was “more suited to Disneyland.”
Another called it “grotesque.”
Burkle, who’s worth $3.2 billion, founded The Yucaipa Companies investment firm nearly four decades ago. He’s made several notable business ventures since then, including in 2012 when he acquired a majority stake in Soho House, an exclusive members-only social club with properties worldwide.
New details about Ron Burkle’s proposal to build a sprawling home in Little Tew, a village of fewer than 500 residents, were submitted to the West Oxfordshire District Council in August. Burkle’s proposed home would be near Soho Farmhouse, a countryside outpost of the members-only chain.
Burkle is having a hard time, however, getting approval for his rural home from West Oxfordshire officials.
He initially submitted development plans to the council in 2022. But …