Benham Park Estate has applied to West Berkshire Council for a drinks and entertainment licence as it aims to reopen this spring as a private wellness-led destination for "retreats, restorative stays and select gatherings".
The Georgian estate says it will host residential wellness retreats, private stays, leadership retreats and specialist programmes to support health and reconnection. It also intends a limited number of "carefully curated ancillary gatherings each year, including private celebrations, brand occasions and cultural events that reflect the heritage and character of the house".
The application seeks permission for the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshments and regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, plays, films and dance. The venue would be exclusive-hire only - no public access, no ticketed events, no walk-in trade and no recurring commercial programme.
Residents have objected over a lack of clarity about event frequency and scale, and raised concerns about noise and extra traffic. The application says year one would have a maximum of 20 events, rising to around 35 a year thereafter.
Council planners have warned any events must remain ancillary to the site's primary medical park use and that the planning position will be kept under review. West Berkshire Council's licensing committee will decide next Monday (April 13).
Benham Park is two miles west of Newbury and ½km from the A34 junction, in the Marsh Beham area of the parish of Speen. The main house is Grade II-listed and sits in 140 acres of parkland.
In the 18th century Lady Elizabeth Craven hosted notable visitors, including Horace Walpole, and David Garrick performed in the estate's amphitheatre. The house was sold to Norwegian IT firm Norsk Data in 1982, changing from a private residence to commercial use; after Norsk Data collapsed it continued as multi-occupancy offices, with IT company 2e2 occupying the house until 2012. The property returned to private ownership around 2010/11 and has been renovated by the current owners; the main building is about 30,000 square feet across basement, ground and upper floors.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
