Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and her husband, former Red Bull F1 chief Christian Horner, are under pressure to dismantle oak-framed garden structures at their lavish countryside estate in Oxfordshire. The pair have lost a planning dispute over a pergola and gazebo built without permission, which authorities say spoil the pristine views of the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence.
The structures, situated near a swimming pool at the couple’s Glebe House residence, were erected without the necessary consents. Planning official Forrest Childs highlighted that both constructions interfere with important sightlines between the Grade II listed house and the historic church, tarnishing the church’s previously unspoiled setting.
Childs noted that the pergola, an open oak-beamed frame located just below the boundary wall, is prominently visible from the immediate garden area and detracts from the church’s appearance. Meanwhile, the gazebo, rising approximately 1.3 meters above the boundary, can be seen from public viewpoints and adds to the visual intrusion.
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“The size, positioning, and appearance of these structures result in an unacceptable form of development, constituting an unsympathetic addition within the curtilage of the listed building,” Childs stated in the refusal notice.
Local residents have also voiced objections, criticizing the unauthorised build and questioning the delay in enforcement action. One neighbour expressed frustration that the pergola, spanning 30 feet, was overlooked during previous site inspections. Another lamented the loss of the area’s “quaint” character and called on inspectors to uphold planning rules.
The council’s heritage and conservation team echoed these concerns, emphasising the damage to the church’s setting. They also flagged an accompanying red brick pizza oven with a visible flue as an additional harmful element on the site, cumulatively impacting the historic environment.
This case is the latest in a series of planning challenges for Halliwell and Horner. They continue to face opposition over other developments, including an application for a horse walker at their equestrian facilities. The couple runs a racing operation, OMBI, at their estate, featuring stabling for 14 horses and horses named after Geri’s musical hits.
Despite previous approvals for expansions like a swimming pool and first-floor extensions, the pair’s recent proposals have met resistance from both residents and conservation authorities, raising ongoing questions about balancing modern amenities with heritage preservation.