Cate Blanchett has secured planning permission to add a luxurious garden to her Cornwall eco home after months of back and forth with the council.
Background of the property
The Australian actor moved to the seaside village of Magwan Porth – which has been dubbed “Hollywood-on-Sea” due to the influx of celebrities to the area – with husband Andrew Upton in 2022. The couple initially purchased a £1.6 stone cottage in the area back in 2020 with a view to demolish it and rebuild a five-bedroom eco home in its place, and received planning permission two years later.
Controversy and approval
Since then, the home has been a site of controversy among locals and tourists alike, with the couple’s latest planning request to add a garden and grass drive to the property being met with similar ire. But Blanchett, 57, has now won her planning battle to make changes to the cliffside property, which will include the incorporation and addition of local plants, trees and boulders.
Cornwall Council’s approval notice reads: “I confirm that the details submitted is acceptable and that where it relates to the submission and written approval of such details you have satisfied and discharged the following conditions.”
Lighting concerns and amendments
The original application for additions to the house was made in January, but it was held up over concerns regarding the landscaping and shutters. In particular, experts voiced their concerns over the introduction of four different types of multi-level lighting, which they said could affect bats in the area. Amendments were made in new designs resubmitted in May, which have now been approved.
A representative for the couple told the Daily Mail that changes were made to the outdoor lighting to make it “more bat friendly”. Away from the lights, which will all be warm white LEDs in fitting with guidance from the Bat Conservation Trust, the approved proposal covers the addition of a grass driveway, hardwood decking next to the house and steps made of Cornish granite.
Previous neighbor complaints
But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Blanchett and playwright Upton, 60. Back in 2024, neighbours complained that building news from the property was “destroying family holidays”. When plans were made to make changes to an additional plot of land purchased by the couple in 2021 to provide a new entrance and car park, it was branded ”a blatant attempt to erode an environmentally important piece of land by stealth and incorporate it” by neighbours.
