Simon Cowell has received planning permission to construct a substantial 'party barn' at his £8 million Cotswolds farmhouse, a project he has pursued for nearly two years. The approval allows for significant internal and external alterations to the East Wing of his Grade II listed property, creating a space for social gatherings that is reportedly the size of a new build house.
Cowell purchased the property three years ago and submitted the renovation application almost two years ago. The plans also include modifications to a master bedroom suite, a bath/dressing room, a connecting lobby, and a music/games room. The music mogul, aged 67, relocated to west Oxfordshire with his fiancée Lauren Silverman, 49, and their sons Eric and Adam, following a series of burglaries at their former London home.
Their Cotswolds neighbours include high-profile figures such as David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and Princess Beatrice. Cowell's five-bedroom property, which comprises a 19th-century main house and outlying cottages, features extensive grounds, a gym, and manicured gardens. The couple has become integrated into the local community, reportedly frequenting local delis and hosting fundraising events, including one for Great Ormond Street Hospital that raised over £1 million.
In their submission to West Oxfordshire Council, Cowell's agents emphasized that the proposed changes would be sensitive to the listed building's heritage. They stated the project represents a continuation of the building's adaptive history and is designed to enhance usability while respecting its significance. The agents confirmed that the scheme does not involve an extension to the building, thereby not increasing its footprint or volume. They also noted that biodiversity assessments indicated no mammal burrows within 100 meters of the site and that no habitat removal was proposed.
The council approved the plans last month with no objections, subject to three conditions: that work commences within three years, that construction materials are locally sourced and as specified, and that the development remains in keeping with the locality. Cowell has previously described his Cotswolds home as a place where the family can engage in outdoor activities away from electronic devices, calling the countryside living 'healthy and wholesome'.