CHRIS Evans has finally won a battle to build luxury apartments at his £3.8m mansion - despite objections from disgruntled neighbours.

Evans, 53, lodged plans to bulldoze his derelict eight-bedroom house in Ascot and build a new property containing 14 apartments, in March.

Situated on green belt land, the luxury development of 14 apartments were expected to fetch around £1m each, according to estate agents.

Conservationists raised concerns about potential harm to birds and bats, and neighbours said it was "inappropriate".

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But recently (December 18) planning officers at Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council gave him this go ahead.

In a planning statement, the council said: "The proposed development is defined as inappropriate by national and local Green Belt policy and is harmful by virtue of its inappropriateness and the loss of openness within the Green Belt.

"This harm collectively attracts substantial weight.

"The applicant has put forward a case of Very Special Circumstances which demonstrates that the proposed development would have a similar impact on the Green Belt to the approved replacement dwellinghouse, which would be built out if planning permission is not forthcoming for the current proposal.

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"Furthermore, the current proposal would result in a net increase of 13 dwellings which would be of benefit to the proposal.

"As such it is considered in this case that there are Very Special Circumstances which justify the approval of inappropriate development in the Green Belt."

Evans' proposed two-storey apartment building was described in planning proposals as "of an extremely high quality" and of a "bespoke classical design".

The rectangular build will contain eight three-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments, with further accommodation within the roof space, it was said.

Additional landscaping will be provided by Evans' team, including extra trees and shrubs around the site perimeter, and southern boundary, document said.

Parking for 24 cars will be in the basement, but surface space outside the build will be able to accommodate another 12 vehicles.

Among the objections was one from irritated neighbour Pat Morris said the development appeared to be on green belt land and said it was "inappropriate".

In a letter sent to the council in March, Dr Morris added: "Failure to defend the democratically approved principles of the Neighbourhood Plan will result in further disillusion among local residents.

"The size and style of the proposed apartment block is clearly out of line with nearby properties and represents insensitive over-development of this site."

Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council had objections, based on the use of green belt land - though the borough council's tree team, and Natural England, didn't object.

On Tuesday (December 17) planning officers at Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council gave him this go ahead, with a list of conditions.

Among the list of demands drawn up by the council includes requirements that builders be supervised by ecology specialists.

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They must identify 'biodiversity protection zones' and take practical measures to avoid harm done to nesting birds and a bat roost on the site, it said.

The letter explained: "The site hosts a bat roost which will be affected by the proposals. This condition will ensure that bats, a material consideration, are not adversely impacted upon by the proposed development."

Evans' team will also have to "protect trees which contribute to the visual amenities of the site" and "ensure a form of development that maintains, and contributes positively to, the character and appearance of the area", the letter states.

Landscaping on the site must not be "damaged or destroyed during construction", the letter reads - in a direct reference to neighbours' concerns.

And the planners must also provide painstaking details of "all components of the proposed surface water drainage system", the letter says.

Evans' 14 apartments must be completed by the end of 2022, the council said.