Sarah Beeny scrapped plans to renovate two barns into five new homes on her 220-acre former dairy farm in Somerset after facing the wrath of her neighbours.
The council reportedly gave Sarah the green light to carry out the work on her ‘mini Downton Abbey property’, but she has not done so within the three-year timeframe given.
The presenter, 52, who documented the refurbishment of her country mansion on her show New Life In The Country, resubmitted plans for the conversion from five to four new homes – but is now said to have withdrawn the application entirely in one year. long war with the residents.
Locals have taken umbrage with the presenter for not demolishing an old four-bedroom country house from the 1970s.despite it being a specific condition of permission for the new seven-bedroom mansion four years ago.
Last year, an ecological study found a “substantial” refuge for rare serotine bats on the roof of the old farm, and the star submitted revised plans to conserve the old farm and restore it.
Sarah Beeny scrapped plans to renovate two barns into five new homes on her 220-acre former dairy farm in Somerset after facing the wrath of angry neighbors.
The council reportedly gave Sarah the green light to carry out the work on her ‘mini Downton Abbey property’, but she has not done so within the three-year timeframe given.
In 2020, Sarah, 52, and her husband, Graham Swift, decided to move from their London home with their children, Billy, 18, Charlie, 16, Rafferty, 14, and Laurie, 12, to the estate.
But neighbors accused Sarah of “trampling” planning laws and demanding He has “blatantly ignored” a court order ordering him to dispose of earthen slopes he built without applying for planning permission.
In a letter to the planners, one neighbor wrote, according to Sun: ‘Why should more properties be built in a beautiful rural landscape on a road leading off a narrow street?’
Another objector said: “As far as I am concerned, this proposed development will only serve to line the pockets of the owners…rather than providing any real benefit to the local community.”
‘The current application appears to be an attempt to negate the original condition of demolishing the former farm and offers in return to reduce the residences from five to four.
“The suggested housing reduction is therefore a manipulation of the original consent to circumvent the condition of demolishing the original farm,” complained another.
It is not known why Sarah withdrew plans for the barn conversion, which was allegedly revealed in an email from her planning agents to the local council.
It said: ‘We have not yet received any formal correspondence from you regarding the outline planning application, which is long overdue.
“However, despite general support for the road, green and utility proposals, I am writing to formally withdraw the draft application.”
Locals have taken umbrage with the presenter for not demolishing an old four-bedroom farmhouse from the 1970s, despite it being a specific condition of permission for the new build.
The presenter, 52, documented the remodeling of her country mansion on her show New Life In The Country, but neighbors accused her of ‘stepping on’ planning laws.
Each room looks like something out of an old country mansion despite being a new construction.
MailOnline has contacted Sarah’s representatives for comment.
Sarah wants to keep the old four-bedroom farmhouse, but said there is “no guarantee” that the rare bats housed inside will leave, even if she puts a special bat loft in her garage.
But the presenter still faces possible enforcement action over unauthorized earth dams after reportedly dumping tonnes of earth from a dug-up lake.
In 2020, Sarah and her husband, Graham Swift, decided to move from their London home with their children, Billy, 18, Charlie, 16, Rafferty, 14, and Laurie, 12, to a 220-acre former farm. near Somerset. , which they have renewed on screen.
Sarah’s show got a second series in November 2021, which followed her decorating her stylish home, as well as restoring hedges and trees.
The television presenter received the go-ahead in April 2023 and in June she released her documentary Sarah Beeny vs. Cancer, which details her cancer journey, including her double mastectomy.
The luxurious home showcases his love for the finer things in life, including stunning antique furniture such as desks and armoires.
She said: “We have lots of really old pieces, including a 15th century chair which I love.” I enjoy collecting cartoons; They are beautiful things and they make me laugh.’
The luxurious home showcases his love for the finer things in life, including stunning antique furniture such as desks and armoires.
One of the living rooms in the house has dark red wallpaper. Sarah previously said: ‘I’ve had so many decorating disasters! But that’s how you learn’
Sarah and her entire family appear on screen in this stunning home.
In keeping with the classic style, the couple’s open-plan kitchen and living room feature envy-inducing parquet flooring.
One of the living rooms in the house has dark red wallpaper. Sarah previously said: ‘I’ve had so many decorating disasters! But that’s how you learn…
“Years ago I discovered that you can paint a room deep red, but it’s the other colors that make the difference between a room that looks like a womb or a luscious, rich, exotically decadent living space.”
On the other hand of their super classic style, they have worked hard to keep up with the ages with their solar energy scheme.
Given Graham’s career as an artist, the walls of the home are carefully decorated with stunning pieces, including his own work and that of other artists.
Sarah said of her job: ‘Having a craft that is unique to you is totally amazing. My husband, Graham Swift, is an artist and I admire his work because there is no way anyone else can do what he does…
‘The skill I would really like to improve on is dressing and organizing spaces. It’s much harder than you think and comes very naturally to some people.
As well as the stunning interior, Sarah previously spoke about what she loves about the exterior, saying: “What made me fall in love with the house was its position…
‘The sunsets and sunrises are beautiful, the views are incredible and there is a tinkling brook to play in.’ It’s also less than two hours from London, so I can get on and off to meetings very easily.