Ellen DeGeneres' Cotswolds Stables Plan Faces Roman Relics and Flood Risks
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia De Rossi's ambitious plans to construct stables at their £22 million Cotswolds estate are encountering significant obstacles due to the presence of ancient Roman relics and ongoing flood concerns. The couple, who purchased the property in 2024 for £15 million and invested an additional £7.5 million in renovations, had initially abandoned the 43-acre estate after severe flooding, but a recent planning application indicates their renewed commitment to settling there permanently.
Archaeological Concerns Over Roman Structures
Oxfordshire County Archaeological Services have raised serious concerns about the proposed development, noting that the immediate area is surrounded by numerous Roman structures. North of the home lies a Roman bridge, while a protected Roman villa and bath house are situated within a few hundred yards of the proposed stable site. The archaeological department has voiced apprehension that the construction could potentially disturb these historic remains.
In response to these concerns, Archaeological Services have requested specific conditions be attached to any approval. They insist that a professional archaeological organisation must be present during all construction and groundworks, and that no development should commence without an appointed archaeologist on site. This precaution aims to ensure that any historical artifacts or structures are properly documented and preserved during the building process.
Flood Risk Management Requirements
The flood risk officer has also intervened, demanding a comprehensive and detailed surface drainage scheme as part of the planning application. Any proposed drainage system must be engineered to withstand one in 100-year and one in 30-year storm events, with an additional 40 percent capacity allowance factored in for climate change impacts. This condition is particularly relevant given the property's history of flooding, which was the primary reason the couple initially vacated the estate.
In November 2024, Storm Bert brought the worst rain and winds in years, flooding the village's lowlands with some roads submerged under five feet of water. Local residents reported rapidly rising flood waters, describing it as the worst flooding they had witnessed in years. The estate's proximity to a major tributary of the River Thames leaves it vulnerable to future flooding during periods of adverse weather.
Renewed Commitment to Cotswolds Home
Despite these challenges, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi appear determined to make the Cotswolds property their long-term residence. Planning documents submitted in March reveal their intention to demolish an existing agricultural building and replace it with stables designed to accommodate Portia's passion for horses. The design statement emphasizes that the stable building would be constructed in stone with a pitched tile roof, following vernacular design principles to complement the existing architectural group.
The couple's representatives have stated in the application: "The applicants carried out a successful renovation of the house last year and wish to make this their long term home. One of their passions is horses and although the building group is large, there is no provision for horses or for their training and bringing up. This application seeks to address this in as sensitive a way as possible."
Property Features and History
The converted farmhouse boasts six bedrooms, a gym, a 17-meter indoor pool housed in a previously dilapidated cowshed, and a grassy helipad used by the previous owner who was a pilot. The renovation incorporated materials sourced from France and Belgium, creating a blend of renovated outbuildings and barns connected by various previous owners. After experiencing flooding issues, the couple temporarily relocated to an ultra-modern farm a few miles away, but have now returned to pursue their equestrian ambitions at the original estate.
Ellen has previously emphasized the importance of having proper horse facilities, stating: "When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them." The planning application concludes with a plea for expedited approval, arguing that the traditionally designed stone building would integrate more harmoniously with the existing structures than the current agricultural shed it would replace.
