Cate Blanchett has successfully navigated a planning dispute to develop an extensive garden at her eco-friendly property in Cornwall, following initial concerns that the proposed lighting could negatively impact local bats. The Oscar-winning actress and her husband, playwright Andrew Upton, had to resubmit revised designs for their garden after ecological assessments raised issues with the initial lighting scheme.
The property, a five-bedroom house in Mawgan Porth often referred to as 'Hollywood on Sea,' was acquired by the couple in 2022. They initially received permission to demolish a £1.6 million cottage to construct the current residence. Subsequent proposals for the surrounding land, which included native plants, trees, boulders, and a grass driveway, faced delays due to concerns about lighting, landscaping, and shutters.
An ecologist's review of the original plans indicated that three of the four proposed lighting options did not align with the Bat Conservation Trust's guidance. The condition of the original 2022 planning permission stipulated that a lighting plan, adhering to the Bat Conservation Trust's guidelines as outlined in the submitted ecological report, must be approved by the Local Planning Authority before the dwelling could be occupied. The previous report had recommended minimizing external lighting where possible and ensuring any necessary lighting was low-level, directed downwards, and on short timers.
Representatives for Blanchett and Upton stated that they have strived to minimize external lighting and make it more bat-friendly. The revised designs incorporate subtle, downward-facing exterior lighting, often placed at low levels or concealed within the landscape. Pole and pathway lights were reduced in height and integrated with shrubs and boulders. These lights are equipped with anti-glare mesh lenses and motion sensors, activating only for brief periods during navigation and avoiding continuous illumination. The lighting direction also specifically avoids mature trees and hedgerows.
All proposed light fittings are LEDs with a warm white spectrum of 2700k, consistent with recommendations from the Bat Conservation Trust. The couple's representatives emphasized that the landscape scheme was developed to complement the architecture and create a pleasant setting. The proposal includes retaining existing trees where possible to provide immediate maturity and reduce visual impact, with newly selected trees chosen for their suitability to local conditions and their ability to harmonize with the established landscape character.
Further elements of the approved garden design include hardwood decking, a grass driveway stabilized with Greenstones pavers, and steps crafted from corten and Cornish granite. Plans also feature Muehlenbeckia for bank coverage, ornamental trees near the vehicle access, and boundary hedges. The landscape is intended to provide habitat and food sources for pollinators, with plantings such as sea thrift, stonecrop, and creeping thyme reflecting the surrounding cliff-top environment.
While a preliminary appraisal in 2020 suggested the building had some potential for bat roosting, a subsequent survey in May 2021 did not find evidence of bat emergence or active roosts within the building that would be impacted by demolition. However, given that bats were observed foraging in the area, recommendations for a low lighting regime and ecological enhancements were made.