JONATHAN Ross is battling plans to build 93 homes next to his £2million farmhouse – saying neighbours will be able to peer into his bedroom.
The talk show host says the development will cause a “distressing loss of privacy” as the homes will look straight into his 16th century property in Dorset.
The 63-year-old and his wife Jane, a screenwriter and producer, have owned the property – which has a swimming pool, tennis court and horse riding grounds – since 2005.
But Mr Ross has spoken out after a disused building, formerly an international school, close to his home was earmarked to be turned into 93 new homes.
Developers want to convert the premises, which closed in 2021, into a mixture of flats and homes to help meet the area’s planning targets.
Properties in the area sold for an average of £440,000 last year, prompting fears that locals are being priced out of the market by second home owners.
This week the new Labour government vowed to make it easier for developers to build in rural areas to help deliver its promise of 1.5million new homes by 2029.
Mr Ross said he has turned down “many approaches” from property developers to buy up his land as he “was conscious of the impact” new dwellings “would have on the entire community”.
Mr Ross, in his letter of objection to Dorset Council planners, said: “Building up the height of the current buildings would mean that our property would be directly overlooked.
“We have bedrooms that face towards the proposed development and the loss of privacy would be very distressing and cause a great deal of stress.
“We are also concerned about the change to the fabric of local life caused by so many new dwellings in the area, and the direct impact on traffic and amenities.
“We’ve been approached many times by developers asking to buy our land for the same purpose and refuse because we are conscious of the impact it would have on the entire community.
“Building work on this scale would have a negative impact on wildlife.”
The proposals are for 14 apartments in the existing school building, 38 one to three bedroom flats in three apartment blocks, and 41 two to four bedroom homes.
The maximum height of the buildings will be three or four storeys.
His concerns about privacy were echoed by fellow resident Malcolm Jenkins, who said there would be a “clear view into existing properties and gardens”.
Mr Jenkins said: “Being an elevated site, this will allow the new residents a clear view down into the existing properties and gardens meaning a complete loss of privacy. It will also mean blocking sunlight.
“The proposal is an example of over development in an unsuitable location.
“I do not oppose development on the site but it should be carried out in a way sympathetic to existing neighbours to produce quality homes away from the site boundary, not a profit driven exercise forced on local people.
“I’m sure the agents will dress this proposal up to represent the best thing ever… However, the current proposal is not acceptable.”
Other residents complained that the area did not have the infrastructure to accommodate the new homes and local GP services were already overstretched.
Michael Millar said: “The site would be more suited for a supermarket; [The area] is increasingly becoming more crowded and the doctors and hospital, dentists, schools etc. can’t handle it.”
Janet Scott added that “most, if not all” homes will be unaffordable to residents.
She wrote: “The Medical Centre is already overwhelmed and this would be the final straw.”
Planning consultant Chapman Lily Planning, acting on behalf of Westcoast Developments, said 10 per cent of the homes would be affordable, with the homes contributing to the Purbeck local plan’s housing target.
They added: “This site has the potential to deliver a highly successful and sustainable housing development of 93 new homes.
“The masterplan provides a vision for a high quality development with the potential for net zero carbon operational performance aspirations.”
Mr Ross paid a seven-figure sum for the property in 2005.
The 16th century house boasts six acres of grounds, its own orchard and stables.
There’s also a 50-metre indoor swimming pool.
Since moving to the area Mr Ross is said to have helped out at the local regatta, supported fireworks displays and is a familiar face around town.
Mr Ross currently hosts his own Saturday night chat show on ITV and is a judge on The Masked Singer.
He previously hosted Friday Night With Jonathan Ross on the BBC from 2001 to 2010.
