It’s an elegant four-story mansion on a tree-lined street near Hyde Park, a retreat for the wealthy Guinness heiress who owns it.
But Catherine Hesketh’s London home could become Britain’s national sheep museum, complete with a flock in the backyard, space for shearing demonstrations and a statue on the roof, if the protesters succeed.
The aristocrat has angered locals in Cheshire, where she plans to build 500 new homes on 56 hectares of former green space she owns. So in revenge they have applied for a ‘change of use’ application to turn her multi-million pound home into a farm animal celebration.
The Friends of Halebank campaign group obviously cannot force the 72-year-old to give up her house to sheep, but they do want to give her a taste of her own medicine. “It’s unfortunate that it has come to this,” said campaign manager Terry Colquitt.
“But maybe she will understand what it’s like when someone who lives 200 miles away submits a planning application that could dramatically change the place you call home.”
Outline planning permission has already been granted for the Halebank project, which includes a new school and community centre. But locals say it is too big for the area, which is known for its rare breeds of sheep.
Guinness heiress Catherine Hesketh (right) faces a plot by angry locals to turn her London home into a national sheep museum
The aristocrat (right) has angered residents of Cheshire, where she plans to build 500 new homes on 56 hectares of former green space she owns
Campaign leader Terry Colquitt (pictured) said the application would give Ms Hesketh a taste of her own medicine
Another campaigner, John Anderton, complains that the Heskeths – who own the nearby 12th-century Meols Hall estate as their country retreat – have refused to engage in dialogue about the project, saying: ‘That’s rude and disrespectful.’
Mrs Hesketh, pictured with model Lady Mary Charteris, one of her five children, was born into the Guinness dynasty and is the granddaughter of socialite Diana Mitford.
A spokesperson for Halebank developers Harworth said the scheme was approved by Halton Council in January and would “deliver much-needed homes for the local area, including up to 100 that are designated as affordable, in addition to providing new social infrastructure … significant number of new jobs”.
He added: “We aim to work as closely as possible with our various stakeholders.”
Lola has news about panties
I wonder what Lady Lola Bute’s noble ancestors would have thought of the latest modeling photos of their descendants?
Lady Lola Bute posed in underwear with her sister Jazzy De Lisser to promote their fashion brand Debute
Lola – whose father was the late Johnny Dumfries, Formula 1 driver and 7th Marquess of Bute, while her mother is fashion designer Serena Bute – posed in underwear with her sister, Jazzy De Lisser, 33, to promote their clothing brand Debute.
One photo showed Lady Lola in the toilet with her panties around her ankles. “Hey sweet cheeks, don’t get your panties in a twist!” the 25-year-old joked.
They’re fungi Becks…
Mushrooms work their magic on the Beckhams. Posh and Becks are said to have stocked up on an herbal health powder made from fungi, which claims to improve brain function and relieve stress.
Former Victoria Secret model Jess Clarke, who created the Mother Made brand and is the girlfriend of Becks’ best friend Dave Gardner, tells me: ‘They love the ‘PM blend’ in a hot chocolate in the evening. I should let David grow some too.”
Former Victoria Secret model Jess Clarke, who set up the Mother Made brand, has revealed how the Beckhams love an herbal health power made from fungi
An addition to Becks’ vegetable garden in the Cotswolds perhaps?
Do you think I am exalted?
Rod Stewart’s son Alastair claims he was dropped by his modeling agency because he is too tall at 6ft 10in. But doesn’t Models 1, who also represents Twiggy, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, know that the 18-year-old is hot property?
Alastair – Rod’s son with model and TV presenter Penny Lancaster – is charming, a student at Jimmy Choo’s Fashion Academy and newly single after a two-year relationship. Tossing him out because of his height seems a bit, well, shortsighted…
Rod Stewart’s son Alastair claims he has been dropped by his modeling agency – because he is too tall at 6ft 11in
Chelsy goes wild
If you want something done right, do it yourself. That must have been the beautiful Chelsy Davy as she tried to model the latest designs in her jewelry line.
Prince Harry’s ex wore two delicate pendants for this rather windswept photo, prompting her to joke: “Attempts to model the new Aya Essentials collection didn’t quite go to plan.”
Perhaps Chelsy was trying to save some money on models as the accounts show her company is £28,332 in the red.
Chelsy Davy’s attempt to shape the new Aya Essentials collection didn’t go entirely to plan. she joked on Instagram
I really hope the get well packages reach Queen Camilla as she continues to recover from the nasty respiratory infection that forced her to miss the Remembrance Day commemorations.
I hear there is a row between Royal Mail and the subpostmaster at Lacock, Wiltshire, where the Queen has a home, with the Post Office not accepting mail that doesn’t fit in the letterbox until the dispute is resolved.
Billionaire Koos Bekker has targeted neighbors in Somerset with plans for a 30-acre buffalo mozzarella farm. Protesters say a pristine rural landscape will be destroyed if Koos, owner of The Newt hotel, has his way.
The secret behind Boris Johnson’s wild blonde mop has been revealed – thanks to his wife Carrie. Revealing that the former Prime Minister shuns expensive shampoos, she told me last week: ‘He uses 99p Radox shower gel. You know, the big blue bottle.”