Millionaire pal of David Cameron buys entire village for £11.5m on a WHIM

A millionaire friend of David Cameron has revealed his plans for a village that he bought for a staggering £11.5 MILLION “on a whim”.

Ex-Etonian Nicholas Johnston, 44, snapped up the idyllic Bantham estate in South Devon after seeing it for sale in a newspaper in 2014.

After buying the land, the dad-of-three was the proud owner of 728 acres taking in the beach and estuary, village shop and around 20 cottages.

Mr Johnston – part of the ex-PM’s ‘Chipping Norton set – said at the time he would look at doing “some sensitive property development”.

However, after a meeting with parish planners last month he revealed his draft proposals, which include dozens of new homes, a burger bar and a beach club.

His plans also include a boat restoration yard and an underground car park at the beauty spot.

Minutes from the Thurlestone Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group read: “There may be some aspects that are not liked, but he urges the community not to lose the chance and not to settle for second best.

“We can ‘have our cake and eat it.’ He wants us to be open minded, dynamic and thoughtful.”

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Bantham was owned by the same Evans family for decades and locals first feared a Russian oligarch would buy it until it caught Mr. Johnston’s eye.

It has become the ultimate family holiday retreat for Mr. Johnston who regularly goes there with wife Linda, 45, and their children Anastasia, 11, and twins Titus and Lucas, nine.

He has already made a few changes since becoming the new owner, but says he is very sensitive to local concerns.

A new grass area by the beach has been improved with a local florist, clothing pop-up shop, gourmet burger and ice cream stall selling “local” products from chic camper vans.

He has also put more effort into the annual shoot by employing a full-time gamekeeper.

According to the minutes of the meeting he wants to talk to the community about the plans before submitted any official planning documents.

Speaking about his plans when he bought the estate, he said: “It’s evolution not revolution.

“The businesses have to work – there has to be enough people there, preferably all year round. And the countryside should be an interesting place for everyone.

“I think we will look at some sensitive property development but it will be location sensitive, it will be design sensitive.

“Where there is development it’s important that it looks right and feels right.

“It’s important that where we do develop, it’s appropriate.

“I’d like to do more with leisure – more in terms of people being able to kayak and canoe. We have a small site that we’ve bought to enable that to happen.”

Top pic: SWNS