Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is facing a dilemma over plans to build a Hogsmede-style new village at his Hertfordshire estate.
The star, known for his role as Ron Weasley in JK Rowling’s hit series, has put forward plans to build 15 new houses on his £5.4million plot near Hitchin in Hertfordshire, called Kimpton Grange.
Under the plans, six apartments – five of which will be two-bed with a larger three-bed – would be converted from the 34-year-old’s existing manor house.
Meanwhile, four homes, styled as ‘Lake Houses’ will be built nearby while a ‘Garden House’ and Greenhouse will be converted into two dwellings alongside a group of four two-bed cottages.
However, ecologists at Hertfordshire County Council, who were acting as a consultee in the application, said bats were present in the main manor house on the estate.
It means the plans could be delayed until appropriate mitigation measures are addressed by Grint and his planning agents.
Rupert Grint, 34, lodged plans to redevelop his Hertfordshire estate in 2022
Rupert Grint bought Kimpton Grange in 2009 for £5.4million
The estate is located near Hitchin in Hertfordshire (Pictured: Artist impression of redevelopment plan)
The interior of the manor (pictured above) would be transformed into modern apartments
Ecologists have said that a bat licence should be applied for so the development ‘can lawfully go ahead’ if planning permission is granted.
In a letter submitted to North Hertfordshire District Council seen by , they wrote: ‘Bat surveys were carried out for the buildings to be affected by the proposed development.
‘These surveys were carried out in appropriate timings (for that year) and conditions and Kimpton Grange Manor House was confirmed as a common pipistrelle day roost.
‘However, it should be noted that the bat surveys were carried out in 2022 and would be considered out of date by Natural England if a European Protected Species Licence was to be applied for.
‘In this case, additional information in the form of further survey effort may be required.
‘However, given that the roost found in the manor house was for a widespread species and would be considered to be of low conservation value, the impact on this roost may be able to be mitigated using a low impact Bat Mitigation Class Licence.
‘This type of licence would waive the need for an application to Natural England and instead be carried out through an appropriately registered consultant.’
A proposed masterplan of Rupert Grint’s renovation plans for his Hertfordshire estate
Part of the plans will see the main manor house at Kimpton Grange (pictured) turned into six apartments
They continued: ‘Given that the lawful commencement of the proposed development does need to be licenced,
‘I advise that the following Informative should be attached to any permission to the effect that: ‘A bat licence is required to deliver this development. It will be a criminal offence if works proceed without a bat licence.’
‘It will also be a criminal offence if the terms of conditions of the bat licence, including in particular the mitigation and compensation requirements under the licence (which may require certain measures to be delivered before the development works start), are not adhered to.’
Bats are protected by law, meaning it is illegal to harm them, or to destroy or interfere with their roosts and habitats.
Legislation also dictates that any structure or place which bats use for shelter or protection must be protected from damage or destruction whether they are occupied or not.
While the interior of the manor house would be transformed, the historical interior remains intact with the main door reinstated to create an entrance more historically faithful to the original.
Satellite view of the estate (pictured in blue) near Hitchin in Hertfordshire
Plans for two ‘garden homes’ are included in the redevelopment of the sprawling estate
Clear Architects, presenting the plans to North Herts Council on behalf of Mr Grint, said redevelopment of the manor house would save it from further ‘decay and damage’
The plans also include a community park and circular walk, a picnic area and forest school resources which would be created for ‘community benefit’.
There is also a large pond fed by the River Kym – which will feature as a key point of the development, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability.
For the new structures, builders will use sustainably sourced timber with spoil from the site used in landscaping work.
The houses will be equipped with heat pumps to make use of natural energy, while solar panels will generate electricity.
Rainwater will also be harvested and stored in tanks beneath the properties.
previously reported that many locals objected to the plans arguing there would be traffic chaos on the narrow, winding one-track roads around the property in rural Hertfordshire.
Grint has also offered to provide extra land to the owners of several properties that back on to the estate which would provide them with gardens.
Mr Grint bought the estate in 2009 for £5.4million but he is not thought to have ever lived there as it needed renovating.
The former vicarage has 22 acres of grounds, six bedrooms, two swimming pools and a private cinema.
He tried to sell the 13,000sq ft property for £6million in 2018, but he is still the registered owner on land registry documents.
There is also a large pond fed by the River Kym – which will feature as a key point of the development, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability
A statue at Kimpton Grange estate in Northern Hertfordshire
Grint’s planning agents said of the plans: ‘The proposal brings Kimpton Grange onto a new distinct design of today, reflecting not only the highest standards of aesthetic architecture in the context of the historic buildings and the settings of the Conservation Area, but also how buildings can be built to meet the qualities of Net Zero.’
On the main manor house redevelopment plans, planning agents argue: ‘The proposals seek to restore and old building within the Green Belt, saving it from further decay and damage.’
North Hertfordshire District Council are due to decide on the plans in due course.
Grint has a two-year-old daughter, Wednesday, with Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging star Georgia Groome, 30, who he started dating in 2011.
Following the success of his Harry Potter career, his parents Joanna and former racing driver Nigel paid £975,000 for a Hertfordshire townhouse which they turned into a boutique hotel.
Grint’s agents have been approached for comment by .