TV presenter denied the right to an extension - despite secluded location

It seems that being rich and famous can't get you everything you want in life. One TV presenter, wanted to add an extension to his seven-bedroom mansion - adding another couple of bedrooms, a couple of bathrooms and a utility room - and making more space for his children and grandchildren. However, after neighbours objected, the council refused permission.

There were a number of reasons why Chris Tarrant had quite a job on his hands if he was to convince the planning authorities to let him build. First and foremost this would not have been the first extension to the property, and would have meant that over time the building would have gone over the limit that says no building can be extended by more than 50% of the size it was in 1948.

The £2 million property is also a lovely historic home in the beautiful village of Bucklebury, Berkshire (village pictured above). And the neighbours are the kinds of people who know how to make their opinions count.

We reported at the time that Tarrant did his best to persuade the planners. His spokesperson argued that you couldn't see the property from anywhere in the village - and the only way to have seen the extension would have been in a helicopter. They also added that the architect-designed extension was not only sympathetic to the character of the property, but also brought together elements of the home to improve the look overall.

However, the arguments didn't wash. The Parish Council submitted a formal objection to West Berkshire Council, and they have now rejected the application.

Not alone

Tarrant may be able to take comfort from the fact he is the latest in a long line of celebrities to discover that planning committees show no favouritism.

Last year Boy George was told he couldn't build a glazed extension at his home in Hampstead, because it was 'incongruous'. He said at the time he would be lodging an appeal.

Last summer George Clooney had to take down a fence bordering the Thames river bank at his £10 million Berkshire mansion, as it was too close to the water. The fence was replaced by trees.

A year earlier, Titanic star Kate Winslet was reported to have sold her 15th century home in Sussex after the council refused permission for a six-foot fence and gates around the property.

And a couple of years before that. Colin Firth was refused permission to install a solar panel on his house in Chiswick, London, because the council thought it would be a bit of an eyesore.