Blur bassist Alex James has criticised his neighbour, luxury holiday chalet firm Bluewood Lodges, for carrying out "massive" earthworks in a field near his 200-acre farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire, without permission. James, 57, says the works are harming the landscape and has launched a petition calling for the area of outstanding natural beauty to be restored to its former state, arguing the changes ruin the "unspoilt views" from his property.

The row follows a July planning victory for James, who successfully blocked Bluewood Lodges from relocating a 14ft maintenance shed closer to his farm; West Oxfordshire Council rejected the retrospective application, ruling it would harm the Cotswolds National Landscape. James, whose farm hosts the 20,000-strong Big Feastival each August, says the disputed earthworks relate to this refused scheme. It is the second clash between the pair, after James led a 2022 campaign, backed by figures including racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks, that successfully stopped plans for 12 additional hot tub chalets on the site.