Geri Halliwell and her husband Christian Horner have been accused of 'trolling' neighbours after installing fairy lights on a pergola built without planning permission at their Grade II listed mansion in Northamptonshire. The former Spice Girl and ex-Red Bull Formula One team principal have submitted a new retrospective planning application for the structure, following the rejection of a previous one.
One neighbour expressed frustration, saying the couple were 'rubbing their noses' in it by displaying the lights in 'complete disregard' for planning regulations. 'It is like we are being trolled as the black wired wrapped-around fairy lights over the length of the pergola are still in situ,' they said. 'Any ordinary person would have been forced to tear it all down. This just shows the level of injustice and inequality shown between the super wealthy and the average person.'
The couple's renovations have caused controversy in the quiet village. They previously built a 12-metre outdoor pool in 2024, alongside which the pergola and a gazebo now sit. The gazebo's slate roof, visible from outside the property, was cited in the planning refusal as obstructing views to a nearby Grade I listed church. The new application only mentions the oak pergola, which is not visible above the garden wall, but planning officials still raised concerns about its prominence.
Horner, who was sacked by Red Bull in July last year, has described renovating his home as a 'hobby' that helps him 'put racing out of my mind'. However, neighbours say the constant construction noise and industrial-scale activities are 'ruining the tranquillity' of the village. The couple also have pending applications for a horse walker at their stables, which house 14 horses for their racing company, OMBI.
In their design statement, the couple argue the pergola is 'freestanding and lightweight', constructed from natural oak, and designed to be 'subordinate to the main house'. They have added climbing plants to 'soften the appearance' and reduce visual impact. The council is yet to decide on the latest application.
