Duran Duran bassist John Taylor has submitted plans to Wiltshire Council to convert outbuildings at his Grade I-listed South Wraxall Manor, near Bradford on Avon, into a private fitness complex.
The scheme would see a workshop transformed into a pilates studio with a washroom, while a standalone sauna would be installed within a neighbouring pavilion.
Historic Property and Proposed Works
Taylor and his wife Gela Nash-Taylor acquired the early 15th century manor, which features Medieval, Elizabethan and Jacobean elements, in 2005. A supporting heritage statement describes the property and its grounds as possessing "national historic significance".
The exercise facilities would be housed within existing outbuildings rather than the principal manor house. The workshop would receive a new natural stone slate roof, with its current rooflight replaced by a glazed dormer. Its floor would also be dropped to create additional headroom, while the pavilion would accommodate the freestanding sauna.
Architects note the workshop originates from the 1970s and holds limited historic value, whereas the pavilion is substantially older. Their evaluation determines that the glazed dormer might cause "less than substantial harm" but argues this would be justified and offset through appropriate materials.
Ecological Concerns
The scheme has hit an ecological obstacle after bats were discovered inhabiting buildings on the estate. Surveys identified three species and discovered four common pipistrelle bats emerging from the stable block during a June assessment.
The ecological report stated that works affecting areas used by bats would require a low-impact licence from Natural England. Wiltshire Council's ecologist has since raised objections pending further information, requesting clarification on precisely where bats are roosting and whether the proposed works could impact them.
Historic England, meanwhile, chose not to provide advice on the application, while emphasising that this should not be construed as a view on its merits.
Band's Legacy and Tour
Duran Duran were amongst the defining British pop acts of the 1980s, bursting onto the scene from Birmingham and achieving international stardom with hits including Hungry Like the Wolf, Rio, and The Reflex.
Their polished music videos established them as a dominant presence in the MTV era, with bassist John Taylor particularly becoming a teenage heartthrob and pin-up during the band's 1980s peak.
The group remains active more than four decades on, with John Taylor still part of the line-up alongside Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor. Their current UK and European arena tour takes in dates across Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Brussels, Paris and London, where they are scheduled to perform at The O2 on Saturday (October 31).
