Television presenter Holly Willoughby is embroiled in a fresh planning dispute over her multi-million pound family home, just months after moving in. The former This Morning star and her husband, TV producer Dan Baldwin, have launched a legal appeal after their latest proposal for the property was rejected by planners.
The Disputed Plans for a 'Heritage' Property
Holly Willoughby, 44, and Dan Baldwin, 51, purchased the six-bedroom home for £8 million in the summer of 2024, paying for it outright with no mortgage. The couple relocated from their previous £3 million Edwardian house in London, seeking a fresh start following the traumatic kidnap and murder plot orchestrated by stalker Gavin Plumb.
Having already completed several works and added extra security, the pair also gained permission for a gym, cinema, and a ground-floor link. However, their newest application has sparked controversy. They seek to add a 'link infill extension' to connect the main house to an outbuilding, a move they argue would make the best use of the land.
Local planning authorities, however, have reportedly branded the proposed extension as 'overly dominant' and 'inappropriate' for the heritage site, leading to its refusal. In response, Willoughby and Baldwin have formally lodged an appeal to try and overturn the decision.
A Move Forged from Trauma
The couple's move to the countryside was directly influenced by a period of extreme fear. They left London just two months after Gavin Plumb was jailed for his plot to kidnap, rape, and murder the presenter. The ordeal led Holly to step down from This Morning after 14 years and take a significant break from public life.
In a powerful statement after Plumb's sentencing, she expressed gratitude to the police and legal teams, stating: 'As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.' A source described the property purchase as a 'fresh start' and 'an opportunity to put a nightmare behind them'.
A History of Neighbourhood Planning Spats
This is not the first time Holly Willoughby has faced opposition over home renovations. At her previous West London home, which was in a leafy conservation area, she faced a series of 'ugly' rows with neighbours over various applications bought since 2011.
Complaints from locals included:
- Noise disruption from building works.
- Concerns over the impact on local wildlife.
- A perceived loss of privacy.
On one occasion, an anonymous letter even accused her of 'keeping the whole neighbourhood up last night with drunken behaviour'. While planners ultimately approved her London extensions, neighbourly relations were strained.
The outcome of the current appeal on their new £8 million home remains to be seen, as the couple continues to settle into a life they hope will be more peaceful and secure.
