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James May is dealing with a 'life-threatening' injury caused by the high garden stairs at his £1 million rural home.
The former Top Gear Star, aged 63, lives in a lovely Grade II protected cottage located in the beautiful village of Ansty, Wiltshire, along with his longtime partner, art critic Sarah Frater.
However, the pair is required to redo their garden due to concerns that their raised steps are "especially hazardous" and located in a "tenuous" spot with a major fall risk.
The architects of their 18th-century cottage informed them that failing to decrease the slope could result in a "serious, possibly fatal injury" should they fall.
They have received approval from Wiltshire Council to add a handrail along with broader and deeper stairs to address the 'safety hazard'.
In proposals sent to the council at the end of last month, the architect hired by the television host suggested decreasing the slope of the stairs, commonly utilized for entry into the garden, from 52 percent to 33 percent.
May has been in a relationship with his partner since 2000, and they purchased their second property for £770,000 in 2015.
Also known as Deer Cottage, this designated structure was transformed from two separate worker’s homes into one residence in 1992.
It is located near his pub, The Royal Oak, which he purchased in 2020 following years of visits with his spouse.
A planning official stated that the 'modest' improvements to the ten garden stairs located behind the property's greenhouse are categorized as 'minor household changes,' which will not require any modifications to the structure of the designated historic building.
The wealthy and ancient village of Ansty, home to approximately 100 residents, lacks retail stores, postal services, and cash machines.
And the previous host of The Grand Tour has acknowledged that residing in the rural area is "still an unusual experience for someone from the city like me."
He stated, "I appreciate that South Wiltshire, where our cottage and my pub are located, remains truly countryside."
I enjoy the landscape and the hilly terrain (though not when I'm cycling). There are deer in our forests and sheep in the fields across from us to chat with.
I have become significantly more attuned to the seasons since spending time there. I appreciate the sound of tractors moving about during the harvest, and I'm familiar with several of the operators.
May has mainly resided in Hammersmith, western London, since 2000. He invested five years into restoring his £3 million home, which was finished in 2021.
However, last year he had to replace a brick awning after his architects alerted him that loose bricks might drop onto pedestrians.
He purchased that property in 2000 at a cost of £325,000 and another partially ruined business building in 2015 for £310,000, with both being torn down to make way for construction.
The design and access statement stated: "Although many efforts have been made to fix the current canopy, it has continued to fail, and the danger posed by falling bricks remains a threat to people beneath."
Following conversations with engineers and metalworkers, it has been determined that this design is expected to keep failing; hence, suggest a modification.
In 2019, May demolished the two properties, which included a small industrial woodworking shop, and constructed a two-story residence instead.
He subsequently relocated all his high-end vehicles and motorcycles near the location within a protected zone.
He owns numerous motorcycles and up to ten automobiles, such as a rare Ferrari 458 Speciale, a Porsche 911, and a 1989 Mini Cooper.
Throughout the restoration, he prevented a contentious conflict with his neighbors by consistently involving them in the decision-making.
A person once remarked: "I could not ask for a finer neighbor than James. He is wonderful and has included everyone at each stage of the process."
James May has been reached out for a response.
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