Sarah Beeny Faces Demolition Order for £3m Somerset Home

Sarah Beeny, a well-known television presenter, is facing a significant setback regarding her lavish property in Somerset, often referred to as a “mini Downton Abbey.” The local council has rejected her appeal for planning permission, resulting in an order to demolish a large extension built without the necessary approvals.

The property, valued at approximately £3 million, underwent extensive renovations after Beeny purchased it in 2018. Initially, she replaced a 1970s farmhouse with a seven-bedroom mansion. However, the contentious extension, which has been the focus of ongoing disputes, was constructed without prior permission, leading to the council’s ruling earlier this year.

Despite Beeny’s efforts to retain the structure, including a lengthy appeal process, the council’s decision remains firm. In March 2023, her design team submitted a comprehensive 125-page document in support of her case, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. The council has now informed Beeny that she must proceed with the demolition.

A site visit involving both Beeny and her husband, Graham, is scheduled to take place shortly, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Somerset Council. “A site visit is due later this month or early October,” the spokesperson stated. “The council will be in attendance with the appropriate specialists, and next steps will be determined after that visit has taken place.”

This decision follows a previous statement indicating that the council was “reviewing the case in respect of further action.” The enforcement action relates to violations of planning conditions that mandated the original farmhouse’s demolition.

For Beeny, the implications extend beyond the architectural to the deeply personal. The presenter, who revealed her battle with breast cancer in 2022, has expressed the importance of making the estate a true family home for her four sons—Billy, 20, Charlie, 18, Laurie, 16, and Rafferty, 15. Having lost her mother, Ann Beeny, to breast cancer at the age of 39, when Sarah was just ten, she holds sentimental value in the home and its memories.

In her own words, Beeny has reflected on the significance of home, stating, “Home is really important for me. But it’s not about how it looks; it’s about how it makes people feel.” She acknowledged the difference in sentimentality between herself and her children, realizing that while she clings to memories of her late mother, her sons have different perspectives.

As Beeny navigates this challenging chapter, the upcoming site visit will likely determine the future of her property and the emotional weight it carries for her family.