Paul Hollywood's plans to build a steel barn for his motorbikes at his Grade II-listed home have been rejected as a council felt it would be an eyesore.

The Bake Off star, 55, wanted to build the steel framed structure next to his £845,000 farmhouse to improve security after his vehicles were targeted in a break-in.

Following the theft, he was advised by police to up security and provide secure storage for the bikes so they could be monitored from his home.

The proposed single-storey structure would have been 39ft by 26ft with grey metal roof cladding and black timber described as 'typical' of agricultural buildings in the area.

But council planners refused the application saying it would be 'visually harmful' next to the listed farmhouse and 'detrimental' to the rural character.

EP Architects, which put in the application on behalf of Mr Hollywood, argued the modern barn structure would have been 'unobtrusive' because of its location behind dense trees and shrubs and would not have been visible from the road.

The 18th century property is surrounded by eight acres of land including gardens, stables and an orchard.

It boasts a gravel driveway, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sun room, utility room and a cloakroom.

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