Sarah Beeny has been told she must demolish a large extension at her home in Somerset, dubbed a 'mini Downton Abbey', after it was built without planning permission. The television presenter, 53, has been fighting to keep the property for six years, following complaints from local residents. She initially bought the estate in 2018 and later agreed to knock down the original 1970s farmhouse to build a seven-bedroom mansion.
The extension was carried out without permission, and Beeny applied retrospectively. However, Somerset Council refused the application, and she lost an appeal in March. The council has now ordered the demolition, and a site visit is scheduled for late September or early October.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: 'A site visit is due later this month or early October. The Council will be in attendance with the appropriate specialists and next steps will be determined after that visit has taken place.' The enforcement relates to a breach of planning conditions requiring the original farmhouse to be demolished.
Beeny, who announced in 2022 that she was facing breast cancer, has spoken about the importance of home for her family, including her four sons. She said: 'Home is really important for me. But it's not about how it looks, it's about how it makes people feel.' She added that her sons have helped her realise she can let go of sentimental attachments.
