Inside Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s plans to transform £1m countryside mansion with pool house and hot tub
RAG’n’Bone Man has launched a fresh bid to build a pool house at his country home after fighting off plans for a housing estate next door.
The singer, 37, landed in hot water with the local parish council over plans for a 52x32ft party barn complete with a swimming pool, hot tub and first floor entertainment space.
Councillors blasted the "disproportionate" size of the two-storey pool house compared with his modest four-bedroom pad in East Sussex, saying it was too big and out of character with the area.
They also said it was tantamount to the building of a new dwelling and would have an adverse impact on neighbours through overlooking and potential noise disturbance.
Rag'n'Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, later withdrew his planning application to the local council but has now submitted scaled down plans for a single-storey pool house almost HALF the size.
The gross internal area has been reduced from 235.38m² to 129.43m², and the ridge height cut from 7 to 6.2 metres in a bid to appease planners.
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The Human singer still wants a hot tub and outdoor decking but the original proposal for an entertainment space has been axed from the revised plans.
In a design statement, his planning agent said: "It is acknowledged that the building is of a similar footprint to the original dwelling, and is therefore not subservient in this regard.
"However, policy does not prescribe that an outbuilding must be of a similar footprint and scale compared with the original dwelling in order to be deemed appropriate in size.
"The development is proposed as part of the use and enjoyment of the applicant's property. The footprint has been determined by the required size of the pool and associated facilities therein."
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Rag 'n' Bone Man bought the pad for £835,000 five years ago but is now believed to be worth almost £1million. It comes with 2.8 acres of land including a spring and pony paddock next to ancient woodland in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
In December, he won his battle to stop a housing estate being built on a farm behind his home after firing off a letter of objection to the local council.
He wrote: "The proposal site lies directly behind my property. The proposed dwellings will all be able to see directly into my garden and house.
"All 34 properties would have some view into my property and/or garden. There has been no care or regard taken at all over the future enjoyment of my property and amenity space.
"I think it is clear to say that this application does not have any overriding benefits that could ever outweigh the impact. This is clearly an unsuitable location."
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Planners at the district council are expected to make a decision on the pool house next month and there have so far been no objections from neighbours.
Other famous residents who live nearby include rocker Roger Daltrey, skating legend Jayne Torvill and actress Cate Blanchett.
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