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Renowned gardener Alan Titchmarsh has ultimately sold his £3.5 million rural home—just before developments for nearly 160 houses were set to begin right behind it.
The Manor Farm House located in Holybourne, close to Alton in Hampshire, inherently includes four acres of beautifully designed gardens provided by its previous resident.
However, the 17th-century hideaway might soon gain hundreds of new neighbors—causing anger among current residents in the area.
Approximately 850 concerns have been raised regarding a development plan which might lead to the construction of as many as 156 additional houses on property located right behind the old Titchmarsh site — within a community that has only 1,500 residents.
Alan and Alison - who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year - have recently moved to A £2.6 million high-end five-bedroom sanctuary located in Surrey They acquired it from Omaze winner Rachael Reid who purchased it with a £10 raffle entry.
He remarked about the new, one-level high-end residence: "The home is exceptionally contemporary and entirely unlike the Georgian farmhouse we lived in previously."
A 77-year-old television icon has earlier mentioned that he is reducing his workload. because he is getting a little older and wished to relocate to an area with a more manageable lawn prior to it becoming too much to maintain the four-acre property in Hampshire.
His new residence is also nearer to his daughters Polly and Camilla — as well as his grandchildren.
However, Alan has also emphasized The sale has no connection to the argument on the 15.6 hectare plot of land where numerous houses might soon be built, located right behind his old home — even though he listed the property for sale only weeks after the plans were revealed.
Software developers Redbrown presented their plans for the land—designated by East Hampshire District Council officials as an ideal location for new housing—last July. Manor House Farm was subsequently listed for sale in September.
The selling price has not yet been announced, but the gardening-loving British celebrity Alan and his wife Alison had to reduce the initial asking price of £3.95m by nearly half a million pounds before they... managed to locate a purchaser.
Close associates of the celebrity have verified that the transaction was completed, and Alan is "extremely pleased" with his new residence.
A 7,930 square foot Grade II protected Georgian house with five bedrooms was carefully restored by the Titchmarshes after they purchased it for £1.2 million in 2002.
Contacted by the Daily Mail last year, Alan stated that the plans for the residential development were "unrelated to our choice to relocate."
In December, he stated: "We're just reducing our size and relocating nearer to our two daughters and grandkids, who reside a short distance away."
Though it may seem tempting to claim that the suggested project (whether it actually happens or not) has affected our choice, this is entirely off the point.
The settlement will continue to be an enjoyable place to reside, whether or not more homes are built, as these won't affect our current living experience.
The location has been identified by local council officials in the community development strategy as appropriate for over 200 residences that can address the shortage of available housing.
However, the 1,500 inhabitants of Holybourne are worried that their peaceful village life may soon face disruption.
In addition to the additional houses, the project will include green spaces and recreational zones, and, as per Redbrown's internal study, will increase daily traffic on nearby roads by 700 more vehicle trips – all originating from one entrance within the housing complex.
Approximately 38 comments have been submitted in favor of the proposal, primarily due to its plan to include 40 percent affordable housing – however, these positive responses are overshadowed by around 500 complaints from residents regarding issues such as flooding, reduced parking spaces, and increased traffic.
Some concerns remain that invaluable Roman relics from the old settlement of Vindomi might be permanently buried under the soil; fragments of ceramics and currency have been discovered in the area since the 1930s.
Even though Alan maintained that the project had nothing to do with his choice to depart, his previous neighbors seem to indicate otherwise.
A neighbor told the Mail last year: "I believe something like this will cause you to reflect, if someone plans to construct behind your home."
One criticism of the suggestions persisted: "Even (redacted) understood when it was time to stop. The community doesn’t desire this… the severe impact on the village’s environment and layout is clearly visible to everyone who takes a look."
The name mentioned in the complaint was removed by legal representatives.
In an article for BBC Gardeners' World last year, Alan mentioned he had "no intentions of moving" and found it difficult to leave a garden that took over 20 years to create.
"Taking care of four acres and a Grade II-listed home has always been – and continues to be – an incredible experience, yet there will eventually come a time when it becomes too much. I prefer to seek out new opportunities before things get unmanageable," he stated.
Anyone who takes care of my garden will wish to make their own changes — and they should.
They should transform this part of Hampshire land into a refuge that meets their requirements and—ideally—supports the animals that have found shelter in our naturally managed reserve.
The review of the proposals will continue up to June 21.
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