Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is fighting villagers to build an 'eco-Hogsmeade' next to his £5.4 million mansion. The actor is trying to develop an eco-village near his luxury property but has had considerable pushback from locals.
The famous actor, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the hit film series based on JK Rowling's books, has asked his council's permission to build 15 new homes on his estate. Grint's family has applied to North Herts Council to create six apartments in an existing building called 'The Lodge'.
The planning application also mentions building five sustainable new builds and four affordable homes on their Kimpton Grange estate. The developer behind the project claims the proposal will enable “sustainable building from construction to day-to-day running”, reports Herts Live.
Despite their environmentally friendly promise, many locals in the area fear new buildings in existing woodland and grassland could see animal habitats in the green belt destroyed. Davina Malcolm, who has lived in the village for 41 years, said: “I have no problem with what they are going to do with The Lodge and the buildings which are already on the site.
"I also have no problem with new homes in the village, and they won't necessarily destroy views from the village. [But] w e need more woodland and more wild spaces.”
“If they press ahead with the development, they will need to replace as many trees as possible, but it could take 20 years or more for these trees to grow into mature habitats.”
Another local resident, Mr Pepper said: “There cannot be any possible justification for a development of 15 residential units on a site located in the green belt and in a conservation area.”
However, some residents supported the plans, with Mr Hunter, stating: “Looking at these plans it is very clear that a considerable amount of time, work and effort has been made to create an exciting new era for the Grange while being sympathetic to the environment.”
According to the government’s Land Registry, Grint bought the estate in 2009 and remains the registered owner. A document detailing the plans reads: “The proposals seek to restore an old building within the green belt, saving it from further decay and damage.”
“To improve openness within the green belt, the proposals appear much smaller than the existing storage barn and outbuildings due to careful use of topography and intelligent design. Nestling the houses into the topography and within the walled garden reduces the form of the proposal.
"Numerically, the proposal consists of a volume reduction over the existing buildings, providing a measurable improvement to openness in the green belt.” North Herts Council is aiming to rule on the planning application in January 2023.
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