She and her husband could claim to be Britain’s funniest couple, but Jennifer Saunders and Adrian Edmondson have failed to entertain conservationists with their plans for a Grand Designs-style makeover of their historic Devon farmhouse.
Absolutely Fabulous star Saunders and Edmondson, best known as violent punk Vyvyan in 1980s cult sitcom The Young Ones, want to build a new entrance, carport and turning room in their £2 million 16th century mansion, as well as a pottery and music installation. studio.
The comedians say it will remove cars from the Grade II listed house and ‘enhance its significance and enhance its setting’ in Dartmoor National Park.
But council officials have drawn up plans for a new raised wall and glass balustrade, saying it will damage the home’s surroundings.
They also cited the “negative impact” of a new oak-framed garden pavilion for outdoor dining and called on architects to go back to the drawing board.
Absolutely Fabulous star Saunders and Edmondson (pictured) want to build a new entrance, carport and turning space in their £2million 16th century mansion
The comedians say it will remove cars from the Grade II listed house and ‘enhance its significance and enhance its setting’ within the Dartmoor National Park.
French and Saunders stars Jennifer, 66, and Edmondson, 67, originally bought the five-acre estate as a holiday retreat for daughters Ella, Beattie and Freya, with a separate two-bedroom cottage, workshops, a large lawn and a walled garden.
Jennifer became a well-known figure in the countryside, riding with Freya and members of the Mid Devon Hunt in the nearby village of Chagford on the traditional tow hunt on Boxing Day.
But the couple now want to turn it into a dream retirement home as they plan to spend less time in London, where they also own a home.
Planners from the Dartmoor Park National Planning Authority are expected to make a final decision next month and so far there have been no objections from neighbors.
In her report, building conservator Clare Vint said: ‘The interior and exterior of the building are of great architectural, historical and archaeological importance.
‘As the application now stands, the impact of the proposals on the significance of the Grade II listed building and its setting has not been minimized. There is also insufficient justification for the works and there is minimal public interest.’
Is time really on Jagger’s ex?
The Brazilian television presenter (pictured) has a son, Lucas, 25, with the Rolling Stones singer
Sir Mick Jagger’s former inamorata, Luciana Gimenez, has come up with an ingenious way to defy aging
She celebrated her 55th birthday with a party with balloons and candles, encrusted, decorated with the number 30
Sir Mick Jagger’s former inamorata, Luciana Gimenez, has come up with an ingenious way to defy aging: pretend you’re much younger.
The Brazilian television host, who has a son, Lucas, 25, and the Rolling Stones singer, 81, turned 55 this weekend. She marked the occasion with a party with balloons and candles, encrusted, decorated with the number 30.
Lady Marina’s trick or treating
Lady Marina Windsor wears a racy outfit while attending a Halloween party as Morticia Addams from The Addams Family
Her sister, Amelia, was named the ‘most beautiful royal woman’ by Tatler, but Lady Marina Windsor seems determined to be the most daring dresser.
The 32-year-old charity events manager, whose grandfather is the Duke of Kent, wore a sheer black outfit as The Addams Family matriarch Morticia Addams to a Halloween party this weekend.
Lady Marina was joined by boyfriend Nico Macauley, 31, a cyber security specialist, who went as Neo from The Matrix.
Just no justice for Doctor Who star
He played a Time Lord in Doctor Who in the 1980s, but Colin Baker was once told he didn’t have enough conviction to play the role of a lawyer in another television drama – even though he had been a lawyer in real life.
“In the 1970s I auditioned for the role of barrister at the Crown Court,” he says. ‘The director told me he was sorry, even though I had done a good audition, but that I didn’t look like a lawyer. I replied, “But I was actually a lawyer for five years before I became an actor, and… well, no judge has ever refused to listen to me.”
‘But the verdict remained the same and there was no appeal.’
Pixie Lott reveals her room service secrets
Pixie Lott (pictured) said she feels like ‘hotels pull out all the stops when you go into a room’
While most of us might expect nothing more than a few chocolates in bed – if we’re lucky – as a welcome to the hotel, pop star Pixie Lott features more personal touches.
“I really feel like hotels pull out all the stops when you go into a room,” says the 33-year-old singer, who had her first child with her husband, Oliver Cheshire, a model, last year. ‘I had my song lyrics written on the mirror. And then they print out pictures of me and Oliver, and then the baby’s feet or whatever.”
She adds: ‘We just got back from a hotel in Dubai. And basically it included all the food and drinks you could want, plus spa treatments. So that blew me away. I was certainly able to take advantage of what we were allowed to do.”
British Museum advertisers for new role
The British Museum (pictured) has advertised for a new curator ‘to contribute to discussions about empire’
More unrest in the British Museum (chairman: George Osborne).
An advertisement for a new curator requires the ability to “contribute to discussions about empire, colonialism, slavery and decolonization within the museum and beyond.”
Do they want an art historian or a politician?
Campbell fails to woo former director of the National Theater
Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell was accused of causing irreparable damage to the national mood due to his ‘relentless belligerence’
Alastair Campbell has failed to win over Sir Richard Eyre, former director of the National Theatre.
He accuses the former spin doctor turned podcaster of causing irreparable damage to the national mood through his “relentless belligerence.”
Speaking at a celebration of the life of stage PR Lynne Kirwin at London’s Donmar Warehouse, Sir Richard drew comparisons with what he called the “obscene sycophancy” of Michael Cole, former spokesman for Mohamed Fayed.