FOOD critic William Sitwell has won planning consent to carry on hosting fine dining supper club evenings at his farm near Wiveliscombe.

Mr Sitwell, known for judging on BBC television’s MasterChef, had hosted top-end dining under the banner ‘Sitwell Supper Club’ for three years without permission.

MasterChef judge and food critic William Sitwell is applying for retrospective planning permission to hold fine dining evenings at his home near Wiveliscombe.
MasterChef judge and food critic William Sitwell. (Tindle News)

A converted barn at his Rooks Nest home is used for about 65 guests, with 10 staff, and the suppers always sold-out in advance.

Now, Somerset Council has given retrospective approval for up to 12 suppers a year, to manage impacts on nearby residents, with alcohol sales controlled through a separate licensing process.

Planning officer Anthony Pick said: “The conversion of the barn supports the rural tourism economy, providing both employment and social benefits to the community.”