RADIO STAR Chris Evans could be set for a big payday after plans emerged to build fourteen luxury flats at the site of his Sunninghill mansion.
The proposal, which has been submitted to the Royal Borough, would involve knocking down the derelict eight-bedroom house which currently occupies the site at Church Lane.
Planning outlines submitted on behalf of developer Millgate made the case for the development, claiming: “The proposal is to provide a residential apartment building of a traditional design and appearance, which reflects the character of a grand classical building. The result is a form of development that will positively enhance the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area.
“The proposed apartment building is of a classical design and appearance and takes influences from other buildings in the surrounding Ascot and Sunninghill area.”
Eight of the fourteen apartments would be three-bedroom homes and the other six would be two-bedroom dwellings, all of which are expected to fetch millions of pounds on the market.
The current site, which spans more than 3.7 hectares, has a tennis court and a swimming pool to the north which would be retained as a result of the plans.
According to architects Ascot Design, the three-storey mansion house is in a “poor state of repair” and would require demolition in order for the fourteen new homes to be built.
In their planning report, it was also pointed out by the architects the location of the site is within the green belt, meaning it is outside a boundary designated for residential developments.
However, the designers noted: “Particular care has been taken to ensure that the proposals will not result in any material harm to the openness of the Green Belt.”
Trees are set to be removed from the site as a result of the building but documents show more landscaping is planned near the apartments.
A planning application was submitted to Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) to build 12 apartments and 3 homes at the site in 2018 but was withdrawn following advice from officers and concerns from residents about how far the development spread.
The planning application is currently pending consideration.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here