Celebrated film director Richard Curtis has become the centre of a local planning dispute in Suffolk, objecting vehemently to proposals for a new campsite in his upmarket coastal village of Walberswick.
A Celebrity Haven Under Threat
The 69-year-old Love Actually and Four Weddings writer, alongside his partner Emma Freud, has formally opposed plans to install 30 camping pitches in the area. In a letter to East Suffolk Council, the couple stated their opposition 'in the strongest terms', arguing the development would 'wreck' the 'remarkable' locale. They fear it would fundamentally alter the village's nature during the summer months, putting excessive pressure on local services, increasing traffic, and upsetting the natural balance.
Walberswick is a known retreat for several high-profile figures, including actress Keira Knightley, The Walking Dead star David Morrissey, and radio presenter Simon Mayo. Curtis and Freud emphasised that the village 'works because it's quiet, natural, and low-key'. They warned that the campsite plan, even if temporary, risks throwing out the delicate equilibrium and could have a lasting impact.
Planning Approval Amid Local Opposition
The application was submitted by landowner Sir Charles Blois, who describes it as a 'modest venture'. Despite attracting more than 100 objections from residents, the council granted approval in November. The local authority determined the project was 'permitted development' and did not require full planning permission, a decision that has clearly frustrated many villagers.
This is not the first time Walberswick has faced a major development battle. In 2023, the community mobilised against a 'green energy' proposal to build a 50ft-high substation on a 35-acre site. Emma Freud's cousin, novelist Esther Freud, led that charge, warning it would turn the area into an 'industrial wasteland' and destroy the beach and ancient ecosystem.
A Deep-Rooted Connection to the Village
The Freud family's ties to Walberswick run deep, spanning 90 years. They first acquired a house there in the 1930s after fleeing the Nazis. The village has been a sanctuary for them ever since. In 2022, Curtis and Freud suffered a personal setback when a devastating fire ripped through their 18th-century Walberswick home, requiring 14 fire crews to extinguish. The semi-detached property is believed to be where Curtis wrote some of his most famous screenplays.
Beyond his film work, which includes Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary, Curtis is renowned for co-founding the charity Comic Relief with Sir Lenny Henry. He has previously expressed feeling 'amazingly lucky' to have a home in Walberswick, where he spent the early Covid lockdowns.
The campsite row highlights the ongoing tension in sought-after rural locations between preserving cherished character and accommodating new ventures. With planning approval already granted, it remains to be seen what further action objectors, including the influential celebrity residents, may take.
