Paul Hollywood is once again embroiled in a planning dispute over his £1 million farmhouse in Kent. Just a few months ago, his proposal to construct a camera-ready kitchen for culinary shows was turned down by local council officials.
The celebrated judge from “The Great British Bake Off” has introduced new plans for his charming 18th-century rural home after his initial proposal was rejected by town planners last October.
Hollywood, 60, purchased the four-bedroom farmhouse, located near Ashford, for £810,000 in 2019. He aimed to replace the existing 1980s conservatory with an expansive open-plan kitchen and dining area.
Planning documents suggested that the new kitchen would facilitate filming at his home, arguing that his televised cooking programs would serve as a ‘social benefit to the public.’
However, this assertion was met with some skepticism locally. The parish council questioned the commercial intent behind the proposal and the potential advantages it might offer the community.
Ultimately, Ashford Borough Council concluded that the proposed changes were neither ‘sympathetic nor appropriate’ for the Grade II listed building. They expressed concerns that the ‘scale, bulk, design, and massing’ of the new addition could detract from the property’s historic character.
Now Hollywood and his wife Melissa Spalding, 42, have submitted a revised scheme, and the filming references appear to have vanished.
The new plans again seek to demolish the existing conservatory – but this time replace it with a smaller side extension for a new kitchen and dining area.
Paul Hollywood has reignited a planning battle at his £1million Kent farmhouse (pictured with wife Melissa Spalding)
The new plans again seek to demolish the existing conservatory – but this time replace it with a smaller side extension for a new kitchen and dining area
Hollywood bought the four-bed farmhouse near Ashford for £810,000 in 2019 and had intentions to replace a 1980s lean-to conservatory with a grand open-plan kitchen-diner
Two rival options have been put forward, with illustrations of both included in planning papers.
One scheme would see a new outbuilding-style extension linked to the farmhouse by a small lead-roofed glazed link, increasing the building’s footprint by 15 per cent.
That is significantly smaller than the rejected 2025 scheme, which would have increased the footprint by almost a quarter.
A second option, named ‘Scheme B’, takes a more contemporary approach, with a new kitchen-dining space joined to the farmhouse by a sloping ‘catslide’ roof.
Its footprint would increase the farmhouse’s footprint by a modest 13 per cent.
The planning statement says both schemes have been designed to appear ‘subservient’ to the original listed building and to better reflect the farmhouse’s character.
Under both plans, Hollywood’s current kitchen would be stripped out and converted into a study.
The new application also reveals that Hollywood’s walled kitchen garden dream has also been scaled back.
The previous plans were expected to include fruit trees, raised beds and pathways so the celebrity baker could grow his own vegetables and herbs.
But council officers said the proposed high-level brick wall looked more suited to a ‘higher status country house’.
This time, the garden would be enclosed by a lower brick wall using materials intended to match the existing property.
Architects acting for Hollywood argue the revised designs directly address the council’s previous concerns.
Planning documents insist the proposals would ‘bring clear benefits’ to the heritage of the farmhouse and would not harm its character.
They state: ‘The design approach has been changed so that both options are sympathetic to the characteristics of the original listed building in terms of symmetry, appearance and setting.
‘It is considered that both options offer a high-quality design approach whereby both options utilise elements of form, articulation and materiality from the host dwelling to ensure that the extensions would not detract from the significance of the building, its setting or wider area.’
The papers add that the revised designs are ‘materially smaller’ than the refused scheme and should now be granted planning permission.
The earlier battle saw one local defend Hollywood, saying: ‘Why shouldn’t he be allowed to film in his own home? It’s his own private property.’
This time, the first public comments appear supportive.
One option would see a new outbuilding-style extension linked to the farmhouse by a small lead-roofed glazed link, increasing the building’s footprint by 15 per cent
A second options, named ‘Scheme B’, takes a more contemporary approach, with a new kitchen-dining space joined to the farmhouse by a sloping ‘catslide’ roof
Architects acting for Hollywood argue the revised designs directly address the council’s previous concerns
One neighbour wrote: ‘These works are of no concern to us. The property is well screened off and should be of no concern to anyone else either. I support this application.’
Another said: ‘I support this application, it complements the existing property and the surrounding area.’
There are currently no objections listed on Ashford Borough Council’s planning portal.
