AN ENTREPRENEUR who wants to build a controversial luxury home in the New Forest has become the richest man in Britain.

Jim Ratcliffe, 65, chief executive of Ineos, topped the Sunday Times Rich List with a fortune of £21.05 billion, leapfrogging his way from 18th place last year.

As previously reported, he spent six years trying to persuade the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) to allow him to redevelop a secluded site overlooking the Solent.

The Mancunian entrepreneur suffered a series of setbacks, with one application after another being rejected on environmental grounds. But his never-say-die approach finally paid off in August 2017.

The father-of-three sought consent for a single-storey home with three bedrooms, a large living/dining space and a summer house.

The two-hectare site at Thorns Beach, near Beaulieu, was occupied by a two-bedroom bungalow.

The Sunday Times has previously described him as publicity shy.

This year Mr Ratcliffe, whose firm is currently locked in a legal battle with the Scottish government over its moratorium on fracking, emerged in pole position after additional details led to a "substantial revaluation" of his assets.

Ineos's director Andy Currie and finance director John Reece shared in his fortunes, joining Ratcliffe in the top 20, taking joint 16th place with fortunes of £7 billion each.

At second place were the Hinduja brothers, Sri and Gopi, worth £20.64 billion.

Their fortune jumped by £4.44 billion on 2017, with their India-based car manufacturer Ashok Leyland and Mumbai-based IndusInd Bank having a particularly successful year.

British-American industrialist-turned-media mogul Sir Len Blavatnik came in third place with £15.26 billion to his name.