Morston Hall's Galton Blackiston in fridge row with council

But Galton Blackiston's latest venture does not seem to be to everyone's tastes.

The high-profile chef has stirred up trouble with his local council and villagers over a walk-in fridge at his Morston Hall hotel, near Blakeney.

He installed the wooden-clad unit in the grounds of the site without planning approval from North Norfolk District Council and is now locked in a battle with the authority to keep it.

Locals have objected, calling it "unsightly" and planning officers have turned down his attempts to seek permission, saying it is too noisy and "harmful to the character" of the hall, which is a listed building.

However, Mr Blackiston hopes government officials will overturn the decision.

The walk-in fridge, covered by a wooden frame, at Morston Hall (Image: NNDC)

CHILLY RESPONSE

The Norfolk-born chef, who has owned the 17th-century hall for three decades, erected the walk-in fridge, which is disguised by a wooden facade, in February 2023, stating that it was positioned outside the kitchen as it did not fit inside. 

Seven months later, Mr Blackiston submitted a retrospective application to keep the structure in situ.

Following this, a number of villagers wrote to the council to complain, with people calling it "unsightly".

Neighbours also complained they had not been informed it would be placed there. 

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Morston Hall is a country house hotel and restaurant near Blakeney (Image: Archant)

Despite the opposition, neither Morston Parish Council nor local councillor Dr Victoria Holliday objected. 

Later, planning officers decided to refuse the application, calling the design "substandard" and said it was "harmful to the character and appearance" of Morston Hall and the village's conservation area.

It was also deemed to break World Health Organisation noise limits, prompting fears it could affect locals living nearby who may be disturbed by the hum it produced.

Mr Blackiston has since appealed to the Planning Inspectorate - the government body that presides over planning disputes.

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The chiller unit was called unsightly by neighbours (Image: NNDC)

In his appeal statement, he said: "I feel very aggrieved.

"The wooden structure was chosen to blend in with its surroundings. It was specifically designed to be very quiet during operation to ensure it would not disturb neighbours."

Mr Blackiston also said that he was not aware that Morston Hall was a listed building, believing that this may have changed at some point during the 32 years he owned it but he was not made aware of this.

Officials will now investigate the situation before delivering a verdict on the appeal late this year.

However, Mr Blackiston may not be too worried in the near future, as he has put his hotel and restaurant up for sale although he has indicated he would wish to remain as a consultant to assist any incoming new owner. 

Morston Hall was built in the 17th century (Image: Newsquest)

GASTRONOMIC DESTINATION

Mr Blackiston, who did not formally train as a chef, first started out selling baked goods at Rye market in East Sussex before then forging a career in the industry after deciding against pursuing his dream of being a professional cricketer.

After developing his skills through working in kitchens in the Lake District, he started his own venture after buying Morston Hall with his wife Tracey 32 years ago.

The historic building is thought to have been built in 1640 and was originally owned by the Townshend viscounts from Raynham Hall.

Michelin chef Galton Blackiston in the kitchen with sous chef Ryan Gibson at Morston Hall hotel and restaurant (Image: Newsquest)

It was transformed into a hotel and restaurant, which has gone on to be hugely successful, winning and retaining a Michelin star for 25 years.

But Mr Blackiston is now looking to step away from the business.

The country house, which contains 13 boutique guest rooms, is being listed for an undisclosed sum and it is already attracting "encouraging" levels of interest, according to the estate agent Roche Chartered Surveyors.