Paul O'Grady's £3.5m estate, now reduced by 30% in pursuit of a sale, amid ongoing neighbor disputes; his widow keen to find a new owner.
In the heart of Kent, England, a seven-bedroom farmhouse that once belonged to the much-loved TV presenter Paul O'Grady is making headlines once again. The mansion, purchased by O'Grady for £650,000 in 1999, has been the centre of a series of planning disputes, most recently involving his husband, Andre Portasio.
Following O'Grady's passing in 2023, Portasio applied to transform a security hut on the grounds into a separate two-bedroom house. However, neighbours objected, accusing Portasio of attempting to build a new home "by the back door."
Despite the objections, Ashford Council granted permission for the conversion of the security hut into a holiday let. The small, charming, and whimsical building, which houses an office, kitchen, shower, and lies next to the family pet cemetery, is now available as a holiday rental.
This is not the first time Portasio has sought to alter the property. Four years ago, O'Grady was given permission to build a ground keeper's outbuilding, gym, and dance studio at the rural estate.
The mansion, originally priced at £3.5 million, is currently for sale for £2.4 million. The property includes a huge swimming pool, a barn, stables, an orchard, and paddocks, making it an attractive prospect for potential buyers.
Planning officer Sally Hodgson stated that the conversion supports sustainable business, enterprise, and tourism in rural areas. However, the process of mansion expansions in the UK often involves disputes with local planning authorities or nearby residents, who raise concerns about the scale or impact of proposed changes.
These disputes typically revolve around planning permission, preservation of local character, or objections by neighbours. In the case of Paul O'Grady's estate, the disputes have been ongoing since his passing, with the property being put up for sale multiple times.
Paul O'Grady and Andre Portasio first got together in 2006, and tied the knot in 2017. The couple's peaceful life in the Kent countryside was disrupted by the planning disagreements, but they continue to call the mansion home.
- The conversion of a security hut on Paul O'Grady's former farmhouse into a holiday let, disputed by neighbors who accused Andre Portasio of attempting to build a new home "by the back door," is an example of ongoing entertainment-related controversies involving celebrities in rural areas.
- Despite the objections and planning disputes, the couple, Paul O'Grady and Andre Portasio, continue to live in their Kent mansion, mingling their personal life with the world of celebrities, making headlines due to their controversies surrounding property expansions.
