Sarah Beeny fights planning row in Somerset over home office extension
- Sarah Beeny has submitted an appeal to retain her farmhouse amidst a planning dispute with the Somerset council.
- Initially, the council approved plans for the demolition of the property to allow for affordable housing development.
- Due to a revised carbon-impact report suggesting renovation as the more sustainable option, Beeny shifted her approach and opted to appeal the demolition order.
In Somerset, television presenter Sarah Beeny has initiated an appeal against a council decision regarding her farmhouse. Originally, Beeny sought approval to demolish her 1970s four-bedroom residence. The Somerset council initially granted permission in February 2020 under a section 106 agreement, which allowed for the construction of affordable homes in the area. However, subsequent changes to the number of affordable homes approved and findings from a carbon-impact report led Beeny to reassess her plans. These findings indicated that renovating the existing farmhouse would be more sustainable than demolishing it entirely. As a result, she opted to appeal the council's call for demolition, aiming to preserve her home office within the property. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding local planning decisions and the balancing act involved in development versus conservation.