Controversial plans to turn a security office in the grounds of the late Paul O’Grady’s estate into a house three times the size have been rejected.

Proposals to transform the redundant building at the much-loved TV star’s home near Ashford were lodged by his widower, Andre Portasio.

But planning officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) say the development would appear as an “incongruous and intrusive feature” at the rural site in Aldington.

Mr Portasio inherited the Knoll Hill property from his husband following his death at the site in March last year, aged 67.

The ballet dancer submitted proposals to ABC to change the use of the building to residential in a bid to convert it into a two-bedroom home.

But the authority has now rejected the development for a number of reasons.

In a report, the planning officer states: “The proposal would constitute unsustainable, unjustified residential development in this rural location, resulting in additional vehicle movements.

“It would significantly extend the small, relatively modest outbuilding introducing a bulky building form which would appear as an incongruous and intrusive feature on this rural site to the detriment of the character and appearance of the countryside.

“This harm would be exacerbated by the extensive areas of glazing on the new structure that would give rise to light pollution in this sensitive location.”

If the proposals were approved, the size of the building would have increased from 48 square metres to 173 square metres, with a new separate garage.

The decision comes as the Kent Downs National Landscape (KDNL) said the “proposal fails to conserve or enhance the special character and qualities” of the surrounding area.

The planning manager for the environmental body, Katie Miller, wrote in response to the application: “The extension will have a significantly greater impact than the modestly sized existing office building.

“It lies outside of any recognised settlement and the proposal would introduce a new dwelling that is unrelated to existing or historic settlement pattern and contribute to the urbanisation of this mainly undeveloped rural area.

“Approval of the application would fail to 'further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).”

Aldington and Bonnington Parish Council also objected to the scheme, stating “the overall size of the proposed buildings would create overdevelopment of the site”.

It added: “Concerns have been raised about the design in that there is a predominance of glass in the front elevation which could be a breach of the dark skies policy with light spill.

“It does not preserve the character of the AONB in which it is situated.”

Two neighbours were also consulted over the planning application and both sent letters of objection to ABC.

The authority states it has taken “human rights issues” into account and looked at the “interests and rights of those potentially affected by the proposal”.

This includes the applicant's “right to enjoy his own land” while considering the “respect for private life and the home and peaceful enjoyment of their properties”.

Find out about planning applications and other public notices in your area by visiting PublicNoticePortal.uk

Planning consultants working on behalf of Mr Portasio said earlier this year how the “best and most suitable use” of the lodge was as a residential space.

They advised against a retail or office unit due to the remote location, and said the development would be “visually subordinate” to the main house.

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.

It has six bedrooms, a swimming pool and 52 acres, as well as a further four acres of woodland.

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