Hollywood actor Jason Statham is in a dispute with local planning officials over proposed alterations to his beachfront mansion in the south of England. Statham, 59, and his fiancée, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, have lodged plans to replace an existing summerhouse with a new one at their property, which they purchased for £20 million in 2024.
The couple's estate already features a six-bedroom house, a private beach, a boating lake, a wild swimming pond, a yoga studio, and a treehouse. The existing three-bedroom summerhouse is equipped with a kitchen, dining room, and lounge, and has been used to accommodate guests.
However, planning permission for the original structure was granted to a previous owner solely for a swimming pool pavilion without accommodation. Statham has applied to the local council for a certificate of lawful development, seeking to classify the existing summerhouse as 'ancillary residential accommodation.' He asserts that the building has functioned as a guest house for over ten years, making it immune from enforcement action. Evidence from former owners has reportedly been submitted to support this claim.
A planning officer has raised concerns, stating that while the use might be deemed lawful due to its duration, it remains unauthorized. The officer further noted that obtaining a lawful development certificate, even if successful in confirming the building's capacity for continued use as ancillary accommodation, would be unlikely to justify replacing it with a new structure that contravenes local policies, absent any overriding justification.
The council is expected to reach a decision on Statham's application later this month.
In separate celebrity news, singer Phil Collins has expressed his discomfort with the campaigning surrounding the Oscars, recalling his own nomination for Best Original Song in 1984. He stated he did not vote for himself, preferring to win on merit rather than a single vote. Lady Eliza Spencer, daughter of Earl Spencer, is reportedly exploring wedding venues on the Amalfi Coast with her fiancé, Channing Millerd. The couple has yet to select a venue for their ceremony. Actress and singer Suki Waterhouse, 34, has admitted to vaping even during exercise sessions, much to the surprise of her trainer. She also emphasized her commitment to fitness, noting a dislike for the feeling of unexercised muscles after a few days. Meanwhile, DJ Chris Evans has co-founded a new firm called Marlow Car Club with chef Tom Kerridge and entrepreneur Peter Jones, leveraging their shared passion for automobiles.