Inside James Corden’s battle over plans to rebuild abandoned £8m home after he was forced to scrap pool house
JAMES Corden is still stuck in a battle over plans to rebuild his abandoned £8million home after being forced to scrap its pool house.
Corden, 44, has been caught in a long-running planning row over the mansion he plans to build ahead of his return to the UK.
In recent months it was revealed the Gavin and Stacey star’s proposal to splash out on an outdoor pool, sauna and steam room had been dropped.
The Late Late Show host is now in final talks with the council to find out the fate of his big intentions.
His agents are said to be this week siphoning through a series of legal “obligations” set out by Wokingham Borough Council.
The council said a draft agreement had been created, and it was now in the hands of Corden’s agents.
It said: “Once that’s been agreed and signed, we’ll be able to issue a decision notice.”
However, once that agreement is complete Corden’s agents must submit further planning details.
The star splurged on the Oxfordshire home in 2020, but it fell into disrepair while he was in the US.
Earlier this year it was revealed he had been given the green light to demolish the existing property and build a new, stunning six-bedroom mansion.
It will boast a large internal courtyard area, kitchen, living room, dining room and breakfast room.
The mansion will also show off two study areas and three bathrooms.
The first floor will have five en-suite bedrooms and a main bedroom with two en-suites and a balcony.
The home will be a two-storey property complete with a subterranean basement incorporating a plant room.
It is set to be even “grandeur” than before, according to planners, who say the property will be 18 per cent larger overall while the basement will increase by 11 per cent.
Inspiration taken from 18th and 19th historic houses will be used to design the gardens which will contain a walled garden used for growing fruit and vegetables, as well as cut flowers.
There were plans to build extras like a pool, spa and sauna room, but they were dropped as English Heritage submitted on the plans.
It said the new pool house would be too close to the historic collection of 45 vertical granite megalithic stones on the grounds.
Part of the planning agreement was to ensure the preservation of the circle, which is Grade II listed.
Corden must also ensure views of a nearby temple are unharmed.
The 44-year-old and his wife plan to move back to the UK later this year after he quit the Late Late Show in the States.