Cate Blanchett, the renowned Australian actor, has once again made headlines, this time for her ongoing development of her Cornwall eco home. The property, nestled in the seaside village of Magwan Porth, has been dubbed 'Hollywood-on-Sea' due to the influx of celebrities in the area. Blanchett and her husband, playwright Andrew Upton, purchased a £1.6 million stone cottage in 2020 with plans to demolish it and rebuild a five-bedroom eco home. The couple's latest planning request to add a garden and grass drive has sparked controversy among locals and tourists alike.
The controversy surrounding Blanchett's property is not new. In 2024, neighbors complained that construction news from the property was 'destroying family holidays'. The couple's plans to make changes to an additional plot of land purchased in 2021, including a new entrance and car park, were met with resistance from neighbors who deemed it an 'attempt to erode an environmentally important piece of land by stealth and incorporate it'.
However, Blanchett has now won her planning battle to make changes to the cliffside property. The approved proposal includes the incorporation and addition of local plants, trees, and boulders, as well as a grass driveway, hardwood decking, and steps made of Cornish granite. The changes to the outdoor lighting, which will now be warm white LEDs, were made to ensure they are 'more bat friendly', addressing concerns raised by experts.
The approved proposal also includes a new entrance and car park, which was a point of contention in the past. The addition of these features has been deemed acceptable by Cornwall Council, which confirms the satisfaction and discharge of the conditions set forth in the original application. The council's approval notice states that the details submitted are acceptable and that the conditions have been met.
Despite the controversy, Blanchett's project continues to move forward. The actor's commitment to creating an eco-friendly home in a picturesque location is a testament to her dedication to sustainable living. As the development progresses, it will be interesting to see how the property evolves and whether it continues to spark debate among locals and tourists alike.
