Josie Gibson, the popular This Morning presenter and former Big Brother winner, is facing challenges with her ambitious project to transform her £1.1 million Somerset cottage into a stunning, eco-friendly retreat. The extensive renovation, set to feature in the upcoming ITV series Josie Gibson’s Big Country Build, aims to modernize her 1980s four-bedroom home while embracing sustainable living.
Gibson’s plans include adding a new entrance, fitness suite, dressing area, and garage extension to the 2,238 sq ft property situated within green belt land. However, she faces a critical obstacle: local planning officials have cautioned that her proposed expansion exceeds the permitted green belt volume increase by just one percent. While regulations allow for a 33% increase, her design pushes it to 34%, potentially risking rejection of her application.
Environmental concerns have also surfaced. Preservation Trusts warn that additional windows and increased artificial lighting could harm the character of the national landscape and negatively impact local wildlife ecosystems. These concerns echo a local resident’s plea for minimal outdoor lighting, emphasizing the community’s pride in Somerset’s dark skies.
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Despite these issues, Josie’s vision extends beyond a luxury home. Upon purchasing the 3.4-acre estate in November, she expressed her desire to live in harmony with nature by maintaining beehives, rearing sheep, and fostering wildlife alongside an existing orchard, paddock, and pond. Posting on Instagram, Josie admitted her dream is becoming “a construction nightmare,” reflecting the fine line between ambition and regulation.
With the Somerset Council Planning officials set to deliver a decision soon, Josie’s eco-retreat project remains uncertain. Her journey highlights the complexities of blending high-end living with stringent environmental and planning policies in protected rural spaces.