Geri Halliwell and her husband Christian Horner could be forced to tear down their pergola and gazebo – after it was built without permission and ruined an ‘unspoilt’ view of a historic church.
The Spice Girl and the former Red Bull F1 boss lost their latest planning battle for an oak-framed pergola and gazebo in the garden of their posh countryside home.
The celebrity couple had already built the structures next to their swimming pool at their house and enforcement action could now see them be forcibly removed.
Planning official Forrest Childs said in his decision notice refusing retrospective permission that the unauthorised developments had spoilt the view ‘to and from’ the historic church.
He wrote: ‘Both structures are located between the grade II listed house and grade I listed Church.
‘The Conservation Officer has raised concerns over the scale, appearance and positioning of the pergola.
The slate roof of the pergola is visible from the road outside Geri and Christian’s property
Geri Halliwell and husband Christian Horner could be forced to tear down her summer house – after it was built without permission and ruined an ‘unspoilt’ view of a historic church
Planning official Forrest Childs said in his decision notice refusing retrospective permission that the unauthorised developments had spoilt the view ‘to and from’ the church (pictured)
‘Whilst noted as well-constructed the pergola lies in direct sight of the church when viewed from this garden area to the east of the house and detracts from views of the church which is Grade I listed and therefore impacts its setting.
‘The Grade I listed church was considered to have an unspoilt immediate setting prior to the construction of these buildings.’
The pergola was built to the east of a previously approved swimming pool against the boundary wall and was described as an ‘open framed oak beam structure.’
The gazebo, to the north east of the pool was also made from oak supporting beams with a pyramidal slate roof.
Mr Childs, of West Northamptonshire Council, added: ‘The gazebo sits around 1.3m above the boundary wall and is visible from the public realm.
‘The pergola sits marginally below the boundary wall and cannot be viewed from the public realm, however, is prominent within the immediate setting of the listed dwelling.’
Outlining the reason for refusal, he added: ‘The proposed development, by reason its size, positioning and appearance, would result in an unacceptable form of development, and would be considered an unsympathetic addition within the curtilage of the listed building.’
Several neighbours also submitted objections on the application.
The celebrity couple had already built the structures next to their swimming pool at their house and enforcement action could now see them be forcibly removed
Plans show the pergola was built to the east of a previously approved swimming pool against the boundary wall and was described as an ‘open framed oak beam structure’
One wrote: ‘This has already been built, along with a sauna block higher than the wall which in a conservation area is unacceptable.’
Another neighbour wrote; ‘The council would have been onsite to know this construction has been built for at least four months when signing off a swimming pool and other construction.
‘Questions need to be asked and answered. Somehow, a 30 foot long pergola was missed.’
Another neighbour also questioned why action hadn’t been taken sooner to stop the development and added: ‘This was once a beautiful quaint property and plot in this conservation area.
‘Where are you inspectors, or do the rules not apply here?’
Also, objecting to the scheme was the council’s heritage and conservation team, who said: ‘Whilst well-constructed the pergola lies in direct sight of the church when viewed from this garden area to the east of the house and detracts from views of the church which Grade I listed and therefore impacts is setting.’
The heritage team added: ‘It is worth also noting a pizza oven has been constructed in red brick with flue.
‘Based on its construction I would consider this development.
‘This flue is also visible over the wall and which cumulatively is considered to have a harmful impact of the setting of the listed building.’
The refusal is the latest planning blow for the couple, who have faced numerous battles with neighbours over the years
The refusal is the latest planning blow for the couple, who have faced numerous battles with neighbours over the years.
A further application over plans for a horse walker at their stables is still under consideration by the council but has also been met with objections.
They revealed they wanted to install the walker to exercise eight horses on land near their posh countryside home.
The celebrity pair own a horse racing company called OMBI and have built new stables for 14 horses at their Oxfordshire pad.
They have employed a full-time trainer and their horses are all named after Geri’s solo career hits.
Last year they were granted planning permission to build a second pool on the grounds despite fears that it would be a ‘blot on the landscape.’
The applications comes three years after Geri and Christian were also granted permission for a first floor extension, a replacement barn and a new greenhouse.
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