Ed Sheeran fights a ban on using his ‘wildlife pond’ at his Suffolk mansion for swimming in 

Ed Sheeran is risking further wrath from his already-irate neighbours after admitting that he does want to use a ‘wildlife pond’ at his mansion for swimming in.

When the star originally applied to build the kidney-shaped pond at his Suffolk estate, he promised it would provide a natural habitat for frogs, newts and dragonflies.

Although council chiefs approved the plans, they ruled that the site should not be put to other uses – and specifically forbade ‘recreational leisure such as swimming’.

Now Sheeran, 28, is appealing against the ban, arguing that it is ‘not necessary and unreasonable’.

Documents submitted last week to Suffolk Coastal District Council say: ‘If the appellant [Sheeran] took to a boat to clear the pond of weed or obstruction, would that result in a breach of the condition? If the appellant chose to swim in the pond to gain access to a branch that had blown in the pond, would they be in breach of the condition? Technically they would be.’

Hinting at a deepening rift with some neighbours, the papers complain that a lack of precision in the order means ‘local residents who objected to the scheme would be likely to report each and every potential breach’.

As we reported in March, neighbours’ fears were heightened when the singer, who has amassed an estimated £160 million fortune, built a diving-board-style jetty, and at one point installed a wooden Romany-style caravan – which could make a changing room

Neighbours have long claimed Sheeran would use the pool to party in with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their friends. 

One resident, Tony Robinson, said: ‘I believe that the development of the site is more about creating an environment for a ‘wild lifestyle’ than the actual ‘wild life’.’ 

As we reported in March, neighbours’ fears were heightened when the singer, who has amassed an estimated £160 million fortune, built a diving-board-style jetty, and at one point installed a wooden Romany-style caravan – which could make a changing room. 

The caravan has since been removed but a small boat is now kept yards from the water’s edge.

Sheeran insists the jetty is merely to enable access to the pond for emergency purposes.

‘Natural’ swimming pools typically cost about £120,000 and are popular among those who want to use plants rather than chemicals to keep the water clean.

Sheeran and his neighbours have also clashed over a 16ft sign erected outside a listed barn that he has converted into a pub. He moved to the property in Framlington in 2011 and has since added an indoor pool and a four-room treehouse.

Last year he also won permission to create a football pitch in the extensive grounds.

Although council chiefs approved the plans, they ruled that the site should not be put to other uses – and specifically forbade ‘recreational leisure such as swimming’. Now Sheeran, 28, is appealing against the ban, arguing that it is ‘not necessary and unreasonable’