George Harrison's son successful in acquiring rights to develop his father's extensive rural property.

Dhani Harrison, son of Beatles legend George Harrison, scored a victory in planning as he gained approval to make changes to the building approved for his mother, Olivia, on the tennis court property of historic Friar Park.

The famous musician's proposals don't change the overall scale or siting of the property, but the details will see alterations, including new additions and adjustments to windows and openings.

Rebuild Friar Park, baby!

Set in Oxfordshire's picturesque Henley-on-Thames, the estate's captivating history begs for a movie script; inspired by George Harrison's first solo album, All Things Must Pass, Friar Park provided the grounds for the album's Coat of Arms, a photograph featuring Harrison and four gnome friends strewn across the lawn.

The official nod to the property's eccentric past comes from its former owner, Victorian lawyer and horticulturist extraordinaire Sir Frank Crisp. Crisp displayed his peculiar sense of humor with lawn slogans such as "Don't keep off the grass," "The answer's at the end," and "Scan not a friend with a microscopic glass".

Friar Park has also seen its fair share of drama, hosting a 1999 attack on George Harrison by a paranoid schizophrenic who thought Harrison was the Antichrist. Thankfully, Harrison survived the 40 stab wounds, with his wife playing the unlikely hero with a lamp.

As for the new development, South Oxfordshire District Council approved Dhani's plans, stating they adequately preserved the estate's character. Some upcoming changes include the addition of three dragon finials, a symbol of good luck and a cheeky wink to St George and the Dragon. The plans also propose removing a clock tower and replacing square windows with round ones, adding French doors, and other minor tweaks to the home's appearance.[3]

Dhani Harrison is slated to perform at Glastonbury this June, and perhaps our future summers will see the finished result of the Beatles legacy's recent extension at the iconic Friar Park.[1]

Additional Insight:The original plans approved for Olivia Harrison included a kitchen-diner, lounge, utility room, music room on the ground floor, and bedrooms, bathrooms, and additional rooms on the first floor.[2]

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The South Oxfordshire District Council has approved Dhani Harrison's plans for changes at Friar Park, which include adding three dragon finials and altering elevations, such as changing square windows to round ones, adding French doors, and other minor tweaks to the home's appearance.
Dhani Harrison, son of the legendary Beatle George Harrison, is set to perform at Glastonbury this June, and if all goes according to plan, future summers may see the finished result of the recent extension at the iconic Friar Park.
News of Dhani Harrison's planning victory has inspired speculation about the future of Friar Park, a historic estate with a rich history of captivating events, such as George Harrison's first solo album, All Things Must Pass, being partly recorded on its grounds.
In a nod to Friar Park's eccentric past, Dhani Harrison's plans include the addition of dragon finials, a symbol of good luck and a cheeky wink to St George and the Dragon, following the tradition set by Victorian lawyer and horticulturist Sir Frank Crisp, who displayed his peculiar sense of humor with lawn slogans such as "Scan not a friend with a microscopic glass."