More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Bob Geldof can now follow through with his Monet-inspired plans and install a 40-metre pond in the grounds of his Faversham home.
The Live Aid founder, who was influenced by the French artist's waterlily paintings, has been granted permission from Swale Borough Council after an archaeological dig unearthed nothing of great significance.
It means the paddock at Geldof's 12th century Davington Priory will soon become home to a large water feature.
It will contribute to the government's One Million Pond Project which aims to increase and enhance freshwater wildlife habitats across the country for endangered plants and animals.
There will be a mix of fresh-water plants and trees to maximise the biodiversity value, with a range of native plants within and around it.
Geldof, 70, submitted the plans last summer but the decision-making process was put on hold to allow for archaeological investigations to take place.
The priory has a history extending back into Norman times and also lies in an area rich in prehistoric and Roman remains.
Two trenches were dug during a fortnight trial, and while medieval features were discovered, experts unearthed nothing of historical importance.
The county archaeological officer was satisfied with the findings from the investigations, and the borough council has now approved Geldof's plans.
Inspiration for the water feature came from Claude Monet’s pond at Giverny, in northern France.
The pond will be built between a walnut and chestnut tree in a paddock, which is currently grazed by just a single ram and the grass is cut once a year.
In approving the scheme, a council officer said: "The proposed pond will be sited some distance away from the existing trees on the site. The submitted planning statement states that great care will be taken when working on site.
"The site is well screened by surrounding vegetation and would have no impact on the wider conservation area. Neither do I consider it will have any detrimental impact on the setting of the listed building."
The Boomtown Rats singer, who is married to French actress Jeanne Marine, has lived at the historic priory since the 1980s.
