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 met with opposition from environmentalists.

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

Mr Portasio inherited the property from his husband following his death at their home in Aldington, near Ashford, in March last year, aged 67.

The ballet dancer has submitted proposals to Ashford Borough Council to change of use of the building to residential, to allow him to covert it into a two-bedroom home.

If approved it would increase in size from 48 square metres to 173 square metres, with a new separate garage.

But Kent Downs National Landscape (NL) Unit says 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.”

It came after a report by Lambert & Foster surveyor Lavine Lammy discussed whether the building could become office space, a business, an annexe to the main house or a holiday let.

She said: “The current use of the lodge as a security guards office as a security guards office is no longer required.

“The best and most suitable use for Knoll Hill House Lodge is that of residential use.”

She advised against a retail or office unit due to the remote location.

Ms Lammy also said the “abundance of holiday let accommodation” in the area means “the probability of Knoll Hill House Lodge receiving a 60% occupancy rate is low”.

She also noted that an annexe to the main building would not be “visually subordinate” to the main house.

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

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.

The plans are expected to be decided on by the council by Friday, May 3.