KentOnline

bannermobile

News

Sport

Business

What's On

Advertise

Contact

Other KM sites

CORONAVIRUS WATCH KMTV LIVE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS LISTEN TO KMFM
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
News

‘Inappropriate’ holiday let approved at Paul O’Grady’s former home in Aldington near Ashford

By: Louis Walker lwalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 16:18, 05 August 2024

Updated: 16:50, 05 August 2024

Paul O’Grady’s widower has gained permission to turn a redundant security office at the late TV star’s home into a holiday let - despite opposition from neighbours.

Planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have approved Andre Portasio’s bid to transform the building in Aldington near Ashford.

New plans have been approved to turn the security office at Paul O'Grady's former home in Aldington into a holiday let. Picture: Lambert and Foster

The proposal sparked objections from some residents who feared the “inappropriate” scheme would spark a “constant stream of visitors”.

But ABC gave the green light last week, describing the bid as an “acceptable” move for the site off Knoll Hill.

It comes after planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) rejected Mr Portasio’s bid to turn the same building into a house three times the size in June.

mpu1

Aldington and Bonnington Parish Council had objected to the revised scheme, stating the design did not enhance the character and tranquillity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

But ABC says the transformation is a suitable proposal for the building.

Read more!
Paul O'Grady died last year, aged 67. Picture: Nicky Johnston/ ITV

“The use of the building as a holiday let can be carried out without any major external changes to the building," the planning officer wrote.

“The proposal will not significantly change the nature and use of the site as a whole, and, as such, the building will continue to appear as a modest outbuilding within the curtilage of the host dwelling.

“In any event, a modest one-bedroom holiday let would not lead to an unacceptable intensification of traffic to/from the site, no more so than the existing use as a gatekeepers' cottage."

O’Grady was reported to have left £15.5m in his will, including half-a-million pounds to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

He had bought the land in Aldington in August 1999 for £650,000.

The site of the holiday let at Paul O'Grady's former home off Knoll Hill, Aldington. Picture: Lambert and Foster

The main house on the site has six bedrooms, a swimming pool, 52 acres, and four acres of woodland.

mpu2

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Formerly known as Bolden’s Field, the property was constructed in the 1930s.

KentOnline attempted to contact Mr Portasio’s planning agent for comment.

More by this author

sticky

© KM Group - 2024