Actress Anna Friel ‘acted unreasonably’ during a planning row to install ‘crude and basic’ improvements to an extension at her £1million home near Windsor Castle.
The planning watchdog said materials used on her single-storey extension were not in keeping with what was expected of such a good example of a Georgian house in Windsor dating back to around 1800.
The Planning Inspectorate was asked to get involved when the actress faced the possibility of the extension being razed to the ground because of planning breaches.
Actress Anna Friel ‘acted unreasonably’ during a planning row to install a ‘crude and basic’ extension to her £1million home near Windsor Castle
The planning authority said the extension breached strict conservation guidelines that included being built higher than the submitted plans, had exposed bricks facing a neighbouring property and parapets included on the plans were absent.
The finished building was deemed not to be in keeping with the rest of the homes in the conservation area just a few yards away from Windsor Castle with its garden backing onto the magnificent Long Walk.
Planning permission was granted to the actress, who recently starred in ITV hit detective drama Marcella, in 2014 for a single storey extension which was to include an en-suite shower room as well as to lower the ground floor level for extensive refurbishments, new windows and doors.
Ms Friel was ordered to take immediate action which included demolishing the extension, in November last year and was given a two months to complete the works after complaints were made to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council.
The deadline passed in late January and the extension remained with Ms Friel, through her agent Geoff Shore, lodging an appeal with the national Planning Inspectorate in April.
A decision was released today which saw the extension to the home saved from being knocked down.
Planning applications for a swing and a pergola (pictured above) caused the actress to get into a second row after neighbours complained the plans were ‘excessive’
However, Ms Friel was told that she would have to submit new planning applications for work to remedy breaches of the planning application.
A wooden pergoda and child’s swing that was erected without planning permission was also allowed to stay put by the Inspector.
Both Ms Friel and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council both sought costs for the appeal from each other which was also refused by Inspector Anthony Wharton.
He deemed both the council and Ms Friel to have acted ‘unreasonably prior to the appeal process commencing’ and should each bear the costs.
Ms Friel was told that she would have to submit new planning applications for work to remedy breaches of the planning application
Mr Wharton said the height of the new part of her home was higher than that granted in planning permissions but that it did not harm the character of the buildings.
However, he was particularly critical about the finish of the building’s parapets, guttering and the materials used, stating: ‘In my view this particular detailing has resulted in a crude and basic form of construction, well away from the standard of detailing and finish that one would expect on a Grade II listed building.
‘I consider that the materials and detailing of this part of the works as carried out is harmful to the integrity and character of the building, to its setting and to the other special architectural and historic features evident on the rear elevation.
‘It follows that I also consider that these works neither preserve nor enhance the character or appearance of the Inner Windsor Conservation Area.
‘I also find that the use of exposed blockwork to the flank wall with no. 43 to be totally unacceptable as built.
‘I also accept that the rainwater goods ought to be cast iron as indicated on the approved drawings. thus, I consider that this aspect of the works as carried out has been harmful to the integrity and the character of the building and to its setting…’
However, he conceded that asking Ms Friel to knock the extension down and start again was ‘excessive’ and gave her six months, instead of the usual two months, to submit new plans for remedying the building.
Ms Friel bought the luxurious Georgian property, which used to be to living quarters for Wndsor Castle staff, in 2013. It backs onto the Long Walk which leads to the castle.