Boris Johnson wins battle for luxury revamp of his £4million country mansion

06 February 2024 , 15:59

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The ex-PM wants to modernise the Grade II listed manor for the 'democratic age' (Image: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson has won his battle for a luxury revamp on his £4million country mansion that will see him demolish the Downton Abbey-style servants' quarters. The former PM, 59, wants to modernise his Grade II listed manor house in Oxfordshire for the "democratic age where families no longer rely on live-in staff".

He plans to knock down and rebuild a single storey extension originally built for servants, to make way for a new scullery, laundry, larder, breakfast room and a larger boot room. But he had to get permission from officials at the local council as his stately pile is a listed building and lies in a designated conservation area with stricter planning laws.

A neighbour also claimed proposed new entrance gates were "out of keeping" with the 400-year-old house which Mr Johnson shares with wife Carrie, 35, and their three young children. As well as the replacement of the servant quarters, the proposals include minor alterations to an 18th Century Georgian wing, to make way for a new Master Suite complete with a dressing room, and a bigger family bathroom.

The luxury Oxfordshire home Boris Johnson moved into after being ousted from No10 (Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

The former Tory MP also wants an extended patio and new electric gated entrance to boost security and to stop his children running out into the road. In a design statement, his planning agent said: "Since there are very young children, there is the requirement for the access to the property to become more secure."

But in a letter to the council, one neighbour wrote: "Whilst I do not think the proposed gates are in keeping with the attractive facade of [the house], they are no worse than some existing examples in the village. My concern is that they will deter tradesmen and visitors from entering the property, leading to even more parking around the war memorial and outside the village hall. Reinstating the previous 'no parking' markings will lessen this nuisance as would better signposting of the underused hall car park."

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Mr Johnson, who was ousted from No10 in 2022, was previously granted planning permission for an 11x4m outdoor swimming pool despite fears for newts - a protected species. The ex-PM previously pledged to "do whatever it takes" to protect the newts, including building "newt motels" if necessary.

Officials at South Oxfordshire District Council gave the green light for his latest plans after there were no objections from conservationists. Planning officer Kim Gould said: "Planning permission is granted because the proposed development will not result in harm to the setting of the listed building or a significant adverse impact on neighbour amenity. The proposed works safeguards the historic and architectural interest and setting of the Grade II listed building."

Ashley Cowburn