Local residents questioning the expansion of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's £15 million Cotswold residence
In the picturesque village of the Cotswolds, a controversy has arisen surrounding the extension of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's £15 million farmhouse. The extension, a single-storey addition to the property, has been a subject of debate due to concerns about potential flooding risks and the proximity to ancient Roman remains.
The extension and accompanying hedge and wire fence were carried out without formal planning permission for the extension. However, it has been allowed to remain by West Oxfordshire District Council, as the works may have fallen under the Permitted Development (PD) rights for single-storey extensions in conservation areas.
In general, extensions in conservation areas require planning permission, but there are exceptions for small, single-storey rear extensions that comply with PD rights. These extensions must adhere to strict size, height, and design limits, with the extension projecting no more than 3-4 meters from the original rear wall, and the height not exceeding 4 meters at the ridge. The extension must also not cover more than 50% of the garden or curtilage, and materials should match the existing house as closely as possible.
In conservation areas, PD rights may be reduced or removed entirely, requiring planning permission for most extensions. However, some local authorities allow single-storey rear extensions under PD, provided they are small and sympathetically designed. Extensions on the front or sides facing roads or public views, or those over one storey, almost always require planning permission in conservation areas.
The concerns about historical preservation, raised by locals, were largely unfounded according to a spokesperson for West Oxfordshire District Council. The remains, located over 200 yards away from the property, were not considered to be at significant risk.
Local residents and parish councillors have expressed concerns about potential flooding risks due to the new extension and the fence. The council listened to these concerns and determined that the project did not require further intervention regarding the extension and fence. The controversy has raised questions about the council's response to the unauthorized development.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi paid £2.5 million over the asking price for the property, and the single-storey extension was primarily for enhancing the property and accommodating their needs for more space. The renovations have sparked complaints from locals, particularly concerning the potential disturbance of Roman remains.
Despite the extension being within a conservation area, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi did not apply for planning permission for the extension. The council found that there were no significant threats to the historic remains or the surrounding area, and District councillor Rosie Pearson contacted planning officers about the extension, but it was found not to be a material breach.
The council has maintained that the extension and fence do not pose a significant risk to the area, and the controversy surrounding the unauthorized development continues.
- The single-storey extension on Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's Cotswolds farmhouse was built without formal planning permission, but it may have fallen under Permitted Development (PD) rights for single-storey extensions in conservation areas.
- Strict size, height, and design limits apply to extensions in conservation areas that fall under PD rights, with the extension projecting no more than 3-4 meters from the original rear wall, and the height not exceeding 4 meters at the ridge.
- In the picturesque village of the Cotswolds, a controversy has arisen surrounding the extension of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's £15 million farmhouse, which was primarily for enhancing their home and accommodating their needs for more space.
- Local residents and parish councillors have expressed concerns about potential flooding risks due to the new extension and the fence, with the council listening to these concerns and determining that the project did not require further intervention.
- The renovations, including the extension, have sparked complaints from locals, particularly concerning the potential disturbance of Roman remains, but according to a spokesperson for West Oxfordshire District Council, the concerns about historical preservation were largely unfounded.
- In the debate surrounding the extension, some local authorities allow single-storey rear extensions under PD, provided they are small and sympathetically designed, and the controversy has raised questions about the council's response to the unauthorized development.
