Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is accused of giving ‘cynical’ sweetener to locals to build on estate

Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint has been accused of using a ‘cynical device’ with an offer of free land to build a controversial new village on his Hertfordshire estate.

The star, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the JK Rowling series, has unveiled plans to build nine houses on his £5.4m Kimpton Grange Estate.

Despite being praised for the sustainability of his so-called “ecological village” and being welcomed by a local primary school, some locals have accused Mr Grint of trying to win them over with gifts.

Villagers have allegedly been offered a ‘gift’ of land if their property is returned to the estate.

One objector, named John Pepper, wrote on North Hertfordshire Council’s planning requests portal: “The proposed donation of land to certain neighbors and the Parish Council is without doubt a cynical device to encourage planning consent.”

Dalia Wyatt is a neighbor who could be “gifted a little garden” if plans progress.

But he shared his strong objections to the proposals, with the fate of 32 trees in doubt if the plans go ahead.

She wrote: ‘Removing the trees where affordable housing would go would open up the view and irrevocably change this historic area. He was horrified by the plans showing the new sight.

‘I have serious doubts about the promise of land being given to the Local Authority for a nature reserve. There is no guarantee that this will be true after the planning is granted. Also, if the land was given away, I am very concerned if at some point in the future, some of this land will be used for housing or sold.”

Six apartments, five of which will be two-bedrooms and a larger three-bedroom, could also be converted from the 34-year-old’s existing manor house.

Grint bought the property at Kimpton Grange near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in 2009 for £5.4 million, but it is believed that he never lived there as it was in need of renovation.

He tried to sell the 13,000-square-foot property for £6m in 2018 but is still the registered owner in land registry documents.

Grint bought the estate at Kimpton Grange near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in 2009 for £5.4m.

The proposed houses would be equipped with heat pumps to harness natural energy, while solar panels will generate electricity.

It is said that rainwater would also be collected and stored in tanks below the properties.

Presenting the plans to North Hertfordshire Council on behalf of Mr Grint earlier this year, Clear Architects said: ‘The proposal echoes the Government’s aim to achieve the highest quality in architecture.

“As the UK is in a climate change emergency, having a highly designed test case within the District would allow council to show how sustainability can be designed into a project at an early stage before planning permission is obtained. for the good of the environment.” .’

But The Telegraph reported that Hertfordshire and the Middlesex Wildlife Trust are also opposed to the plans.

Matt Dodds, the Trust’s biodiversity and planning manager, told them: ‘The app should provide full biodiversity, not a metric.

‘This must evidence all habitat and condition assessments for it to be acceptable. It should not be decided without this information.’

A representative for Rupert Grint was contacted for comment.