Chronicles of Narnia star Tilda Swinton wins battle against neighbours over 'brutal' plans for new kitchen, dining room and wet-room for her DOGS in her 114-year-old Highlands home

  • Tilda Swinton lodged plans for new kitchen, dining area and dog room in Nairn 
  • The 58-year-old was previously forced to withdraw application over objections 
  • Locals branded the Oscar-winners proposed renovation 'brutal' and 'brash'  

Tilda Swinton (pictured) has won a battle to refurbish the Highland home after vocal objections from locals

Tilda Swinton (pictured) has won a battle to refurbish the Highland home after vocal objections from locals

Hollywood star Tilda Swinton has won a battle to refurbish her Highland home and build a wet room for her dogs.

The Oscar-winning actress lodged plans to build a new kitchen, dining area and the dog room at the rear of her B-listed property in Nairn.

She is planning to replace an outhouse and a 'poorly constructed library and playroom' at the house with a new extension.

The Chronicles of Narnia and Doctor Strange actress sought planning permission for similar changes to her home last year.

However, she later withdrew the application following objections from locals who described the proposed renovation as 'brutal' and 'brash'.

The 58-year-old submitted new plans to Highland Council in February but architectural experts had tried to block the refurbishment.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland lodged a formal objection, claiming the new extension would spoil the character of the 114-year-old building.

However the local authority has now granted planning permission for the work.

In a written ruling, planners said: 'The scale of this proposal is considerable, but it is not significantly larger than the existing extensions.

'Visibility of the proposal from all aspects is partial, and from none of them is it overly intrusive in terms of scale or visual impact, upon the character or integrity of the listed building.

'The simplicity of the contemporary design is a key factor in it contrasting with the original house, but not 'competing' with it in terms of visual prominence; the use of matching finishes and fenestration will help the new to blend-in with the old.

These plans were slammed as 'brash' by Nairn locals after the Oscar-winning star submitted her extension vision

These plans were slammed as 'brash' by Nairn locals after the Oscar-winning star submitted her extension vision 

The Oscar-winning actor wants to build a new kitchen, dining area and dog room at the rear of her B-listed property in Nairnshire

The Oscar-winning actor wants to build a new kitchen, dining area and dog room at the rear of her B-listed property in Nairnshire

'On balance, we consider the proposal to be an honestly modern addition to the original house, with a clear architectural identity, but an over-riding deference to its B-listed host.'

Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who previously raised concerns about the scheme, said they did not object to the new plans as they 'do not raise historic environment issues of national significance'.

Miss Swinton (pictured on set in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) caused anger with the plans

Miss Swinton (pictured on set in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) caused anger with the plans 

Miss Swinton shares the home with her partner Sandro Kopp, a German painter, and her 21-year-old twins Honor and Xavier, whose father is the Scots artist John Byrne.

Her plans also include a new 'snug' room, a pantry and a terrace. The dog wet room is for her pack of springer spaniels, which had a starring role in a music video she directed last year.

Documents submitted by her planning agent stated Miss Swinton was embarking on a renovation programme as she was committed to the house being her 'long term sole family home'.

They stated: 'My client's brief was to increase the size of the kitchen and dining areas, while catering to the requirements of a large family home, where the different habitation areas allow for a natural flow of children, dogs and entertaining friends.

'The new extension gives a contempary, clean, defined appearance which enhances without detracting from the original building and replaces a substandard garage extension with a carefully considered and sympathetic addition which would greatly contribute to the function of this much loved and painstakingly restored family home.'

Miss Swinton was advised that building work must commence within three years.

 

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