Actress Kate Winslet has submitted planning applications to her local council for upgrades to her historic waterfront home in West Wittering, Sussex, citing concerns about flooding and coastal erosion. The proposals include replacing two sets of wooden gates at her Grade II-listed property, which she purchased for £3.25 million in 2013.
The gates, exposed to the elements, are reportedly rotting from constant contact with salty sea air. Winslet's architects have proposed replacing them with new gates made from treated timber, which are described as highly resistant to decay and designed for longevity in the harsh coastal environment.
Winslet's home is situated in Flood Zone 3, the highest risk category for flooding. The area has been experiencing significant coastal erosion and deteriorating sea defenses, prompting substantial investment from the council in recent years to combat these issues. Nearby, a coastal defense scheme is planned for Selsey to protect thousands of properties from rising sea levels and increased storm frequency.
Local reports indicate that council officers have warned of the limited lifespan of existing sea defenses, with less than two and a half years remaining. In response, the council is seeking additional funding to bolster protection for homes and businesses in Selsey and the Witterings.
This is not the first time Winslet has sought to enhance her property's defenses against the elements. In 2015, she withdrew an application for a sea barrier, but later received permission in 2017 for new timber sea defenses along the foreshore.
The current proposals involve widening one of the harbor-side gates and transplanting a section of hedge to accommodate the changes. Winslet's planning agents have stated that these modifications will not affect any historic fabric of the property or harm its heritage status. The plans also ensure that the public King Charles III England Coast Path, which runs between the gates, will remain unobstructed. No additional security features such as cameras or intercoms are planned for the new gates.
These external works follow a series of internal and external alterations approved for the property in recent months, including the conversion of a basement swimming pool into a gym, refurbishments to living spaces, and retrospective permission for the use of an outbuilding as a gym and annexe. Winslet also recently received consent for redecorating windows, doors, gutters, and balcony railings.