Huge blow for EuroMillions winner’s plan to build children’s theme park on his country estate after scooping £148m

A EUROMILLIONS winner has faced a fresh blow in his bid to build a children's theme park on his country estate.

Adrian Bayford, who split a £148millionEuroMillionsjackpot with his now ex-wife in 2012, bought his 17th century farm house in 2014.

In January the lotto scooper, 54, was granted permission to turn the luxury property into a holiday rental.

The ex-postie previously constructed a vineyard around the size of six football pitches.

He then revealed his grand plans to create a theme park on 20 acres of his 198 acre Grade II-listed Georgian estate.

It would see six farm buildings torn down, a 90-space car park, a maze and train ride.

In planning documents, Ade said he was “seeking to create a highly regarded and well-known leisure destination which provides a fun, exciting and educational day out.”

But his ideas have been squashed by the council after it was ruled the attraction would be too “urban” for the countryside location.

Docs from BNE Urban Design, as reported by LBC, read: “The proposal lacks integration into what remains a site of rural character.

“Long views towards the development is of particular importance as well as the total composition needing to retain a high percentage of softness in the landscape between the various built-form elements,” they argued.

“Through car dependency and increased footfall associated with new retail uses the character shifts substantially away from a rural character.”

Fears were also raised concerning “significant night-time light emission” from the main barn.

Officials also highlighted issues including traffic chaos and flooding risks.

An Environmental Health officer warned the proposed park would be a nuisance to those in “close proximity” to the site.

The officer said: “Whilst detailed design information with regards to the layout and composition of the proposed development is not available at this stage, particular consideration needs to be given towards the prevention of nuisance that may be caused by commercial premises/uses affecting residential properties in close proximity.”

This comes after Ade also suffered a set back earlier last yearwhen his annual rock festival took a hit.

He has hosted the event on his 90-acre Cambridge estate since 2017.

But the festival was been forced to find a new venue for its 20th anniversary– blaming “management changes” at Bayford's company.

More than 60 bands had been slated to entertain around 2,000 revellers at Bayford's £6.5million pad, Horseheath Lodge.

Meanwhile, in 2023 the event was axed at the last minute because the council didn't grant a licence.

There had been reports from disgruntled neighbours about the noise levels.

Adrian and Gillian celebrated their mega win in 2012 by ordering Domino’s.

Theybroke up the following year,splitting the jackpot win. Adrian was later linked to Marta Jarosz, 30, a Polish sausage factory worker, who he employed as a bodyguard and assistant.

He then met stable girl Sam Burbidge in January 2014 and spent big on her riding hobby, buying up to 30 thoroughbred horses.

They got engaged but she left in 2017. Adrian then wooed Frankie & Benny’s waitress Lisa Kemp, 46, in December 2017.

He is nowdatingold friend Tracey Biles, and the couple are due to marry.

Despite his set backs, Ade has already managed to host huge events on his estate.

Last year, he erected a giant marquee in his grounds for New York-themed parties for up to 1,500 revellers a night.

It is the latest money-spinner for Ade, who has previously soldChristmastrees from his front lawn and set-up anAirbnband a vineyard on his Cambridgeshire estate.

The music fan, who has also hosted heavy metal festivals on his grounds, has gone upmarket for the latest adventure with tickets coming in at £110 a head.

It promised to take guests on a “Lost inNew York”; adventure with a three-course meal, live entertainment and a disco.

The Christmas Parties Unlimited site said guests would be taken “from the beauty of Central Park to the bright lights ofNew YorkCity, with some well-known Home Alone inspired music throughout the evening”;.

It added: “After dinner, we’re off to the most legendary NYC nightclub of the disco-era for a Studio 54 themed after-party!

“With our live DJ playingmusicfrom all eras, everyone will be up and dancing before you know it.”;

The lotto winner previously made a “genius” move to make even more money – all thanks to his fiancée.

His green-fingered partner Tracey encouraged Ade toplant a Champagne vineyardin the grounds of his £12milion luxury pad.

She has planted what appear to be meunier grapes, one of the three main varieties used in the production of bubbly, on his Haverhill mansion on the Suffolk/Essex border.

One pal said: “It’s fantastic to see Adrian using his fortune to explore new ventures. It shows what a fantastic influence Tracey is on him.

“Hopefully we’ll all be able to buy Chateau Bayford soon.”;

Jane Clare, of wine blog One Foot in the Grapes, said: “If Mr Bayford is planting grapes to make fizz, he’ll be adding his own sparkle to our home-grown wines which are taking off.

“As our climate gets warmer, it is easier to ripen these grapes to a quality which in turn can create quality sparkling wines.”;

Technically, the former postie's fizz can't be called Champagne as it is not from the French region itself.

But, a vineyard is sure to boost the value of the property and help encourage potential buyers should the lotto winner wish to sell.

UK's biggest lottery winners

By Ethan Singh

• Anonymous winner – £195,707,000

A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time.

The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket.

• Joe and Jess Thwaite – £184,262,899.10

Britain's previous EuroMillions record holders wereJoe and Jess Thwaite.

The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children's ponies.

Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news.

As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping.

Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children.

• Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000

Colinand Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe’s second-biggest winners until someone inItalywon a jackpot worth £193m in 2019.

They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck.

But at the time ofColin’s deathin December 2019 his share of the prize money haddwindled by around £40m.

He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported.

Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years.

He left money for their children Carly and Jamie.

• Adrian and Gillian Brayford – £148,600,000

Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million.

But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win.

The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021.

After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge.

She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought.

It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year.

• Frances and Patrick Connolly – £114,969,775

Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot.

They scooped almost £115 million on New Year’s Day 2019.

She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family.

• Richard and Debbie Nuttall – £61,000,000

The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024.

Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.

But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win.

Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account.

Other eye-watering anonymous winners:

• 2019 – £123million

Another anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover.

• 2021 – £122million

Following nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April.

The successful participant chose to remain anonymous.

• 2018 – £121million

Another anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.