Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his film director wife Sam want to make changes to a courtyard attached to their grade II listed farmhouse
A front-runner to be the next James Bond looks set to win his latest planning battle – after previous proposals had been met with criticism. Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is current favourite to be the new 007, and his film director wife Sam, want to make changes to a courtyard attached to their grade II listed farmhouse in Somerset.
The couple has submitted an application to dismantle and reposition part of a wall within the courtyard, and to raise a section of the external boundary wall to create a larger internal space. Their representatives stated that the aim was to “enhance its spatial relationship with the principal house” and to enable the family to “utilise a practical private external space.”
The application is still being reviewed by Somerset Council, with a decision yet to be made. However, Leigh on Mendip Parish Council has said that “several” councillors visited the site and are recommending approval, commending the way the actor planned to “bond” the wall together.
The council commented: “Adding a new section of wall in the location proposed, reusing the stone or using new matching, with a traditional cock and hen coping, flush jointing, bond to match the existing and lime mortar, will not impact the setting or character of the listed structures adversely.”
The parish council added: “Several councillors undertook at visit to the site in question to gain a better understanding of the proposal. While there is some harm through demolition of the primary element of wall, it is concluded that its significance is limited given its alteration and resultant appearance.”
In documents supporting the plans, representatives for Taylor-Johnson wrote: “The use of existing stone and traditional materials and skills in the construction of the new wall will retain the historic fabric, and the evidential and aesthetic values of the existing walls.”
They added: “On the basis that the proposal is demonstrably compliant with national and local planning policies, the Council is respectfully requested to grant planning permission and listed building consent.”
This scheme is just the latest in a series of improvement works undertaken by the couple. Earlier this year, they won over their neighbours with a plan for a pond – after being credited with “bringing back birds” to the area.
They had previously faced public backlash over plans to excavate a large lake on the grounds of their historic Somerset home. However, retrospective permission was granted and a subsequent inspection gave the green light for the pond to continue operating with “no issues” raised.
Some of the couple’s nearest neighbours have praised the British actor for his efforts in attracting birds back to his farmland in the Mendip hills. Aerial photographs reveal the impressive scale of the pond at the farmhouse, which the celebrity couple purchased from Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCleod.
And neighbours report that they’ve not seen as many birds returning in years. Local resident Amy Fukuyama expressed her support, stating: “I live to the west of the fields belonging to Great House Farm and am overjoyed at the prospect of the increase to biodiversity in our area.
“I can see the ponds from my house and very much welcome the change to the view and monoculture. Since the ponds have been constructed there has been a noticeable increase in bird activity.
“We now regularly see, and hear, flocks of geese flying over and can hear a tawny owl on occasions which I don’t recall hearing before. I recently attended a talk by another local rewilding enthusiast in which he spoke of the flocks of 100 plus goldfinches which now visit his re-wilded farm and I fully support any application which would encourage such activity in our area.”
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