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Paul Hollywood has reignited a battle to build a walled kitchen garden at his Kent farmhouse after a previous scheme was thrown out last year.
The Bake Off star’s revised plans include a smaller kitchen garden, lower extension and materials better designed to match his historic farmhouse near Ashford.
Paul Hollywood has resubmitted plans for alterations to his 18th-century farmhouse near Ashford
Last December, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) threw out Mr Hollywood’s plans to demolish his conservatory to create an open-plan kitchen with space for filming cookery shows.
The authority found the plans were not a “sympathetic or appropriate addition” to the 18th-century Grade II-listed home he bought for more than £800,000 in 2019.
Documents added the “scale, bulk, design and massing” of the proposal would “detract” from the current “special interest” of the property.
Now a fresh bid has been submitted to demolish the conservatory to make way for a side extension to house a new dining area and kitchen garden, surrounded by a low wall.
If approved, the existing kitchen will be removed, and the room repurposed as a study.
Ashford Borough Council previously threw out Mr Hollywood’s plan last year
There appears to be no mention of the filming plans in the new application.
In the hope of receiving approval, the plans have been altered, including the introduction of a flat roof for the proposed extension, thereby lowering the height relative to the main dwelling.
The materials used will also “better reflect the existing dwelling, including the white timber weatherboarding and brick plinth”.
The kitchen garden has also been substantially reduced in size from what was originally proposed.
The design and access statement, submitted by Clague Architects on behalf of the applicant, states the proposed extension “would bring clear benefits to the heritage significance of the Grade II-listed farmhouse”.
Paul Hollywood
“Since the refusal of the original application, the applicant has engaged a new design team, including new architects and a heritage consultant who have advised on revised proposals ahead of submission,” they add.
“The building has undergone a number of later alterations that detract from its historic character.
“The current extension is of limited architectural quality, with failing junctions to the historic core, and represents a key constraint on both the building’s appearance and functionality.
“The replacement of the existing south‑west conservatory offers scope to improve the internal layout by relocating the kitchen into a more appropriately designed side extension.
“It will create a generous kitchen‑dining space while better respecting the character of the farmhouse.”
Currently, one comment in favour and none opposing the scheme have been lodged on ABC’s planning portal.
A decision is expected by the local authority later this year.
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