An investment banker and his wife have launched a highly unusual High Court lawsuit, personally suing a parish councillor and his spouse for £1.6 million. They allege the couple conspired to obstruct their plans to turn a historic Cambridgeshire mansion into a luxury wedding venue.
The Estate and the Disputed Plans
Dr Philip Kaziewicz, 55, and his wife Rachel, 46, own the Grade II* listed Hemingford Park Hall near Huntingdon. The 1843 mansion sits within 72 acres of grounds and boasts what is claimed to be Europe's largest underground spa. The couple, who purchased the property in 2012, sought to transform it into a high-end boutique wedding venue and wellness centre.
Their vision, however, met with significant local opposition. The parish council, chaired by their neighbour Marcus Whewell, 62, wrote to the planning authority in 2021 recommending refusal of a change of use. They argued the weddings would increase noise and traffic, detrimentally impacting the village. Separately, a village preservation group called PROVE, chaired by Whewell's wife, Susan Painter, 71, also campaigned against the plans.
Allegations of a Coordinated 'Conspiracy'
In their claim filed at London's High Court, the Kaziewiczes allege that Mr Whewell and Ms Painter worked "hand in glove" in an unlawful conspiracy to kill their business plan. They claim the two coordinated efforts without disclosing their personal relationship, thereby abusing their respective positions of influence.
The lawsuit states that leaflets distributed by both the parish council and PROVE were designed to encourage a high volume of negative responses to the planning application. This campaign, they allege, resulted in 136 formal objections – an unusually large number for a single application.
Furthermore, the claimants accuse the parish council of employing obstructive tactics, such as requesting a comprehensive biodiversity survey citing potential great crested newts. They also allege that in July 2023, Ms Kaziewicz received a call from someone impersonating a planning officer, which they believe was connected to PROVE.
High Stakes and Stringent Conditions
The damages sought total £1,632,911, including over £1.4 million for alleged loss of profits. The sum is so substantial that Mr Whewell and Ms Painter reportedly risk losing their home if they lose the case. Legal experts suggest a victory for the Kaziewiczes could have chilling implications for thousands of unpaid parish councillors across the UK, potentially exposing them to personal liability.
Faced with what they describe as intimidation and harassment, the Kaziewiczes eventually withdrew their initial application. A subsequent 'regularisation' application was refused in 2023. They finally secured permission in 2024, but it came with a raft of restrictive conditions.
The most significant condition limits weddings to a maximum of 26 per year, banning events on consecutive weeks. Other stipulations include an 11pm curfew for amplified music, no outdoor music, restricted delivery times, the construction of acoustic screens, a ban on fireworks, and even the submission of an 'odour management plan'.
Broader Claims of Misfeasance and Abuse
The legal claim goes beyond conspiracy, accusing Mr Whewell of misfeasance in public office. It alleges he demonstrated "targeted malice" by failing to act independently, to recuse himself due to his wife's role, and to consider the Kaziewiczes' representations fairly. The claim also states he used parish council resources to campaign against them while ignoring other planning breaches in the parish.
Dr and Ms Kaziewicz are seeking exemplary damages and injunctions that would force Mr Whewell to declare a conflict of interest, recuse himself from any future matters concerning Hemingford Park, and prevent both defendants from soliciting "unmeritorious objections".
In a statement on the parish council website, Mr Whewell said he considered it "an honour and a privilege" to serve the local community. Dr Kaziewicz, a physics PhD graduate, has a background in finance, technology, and property. All parties involved have been contacted for comment.
