Liz Hurley and fiance Shane Warne have been granted permission to dramatically renovate their £6 million country love nest.
The showbiz pair are now preparing to completely overhaul historic Donnington Hall near Ledbury, Herefordshire, to accommodate their family.
The Georgian mansion will see changes to the inside layout with an ‘ugly’ modern conservatory replaced with a luxurious garden room.
The lovestruck couple bought the historic property last year and now plan to add a new side entrance and extended lobby.
The existing conservatory, which was erected in the mid-20th century, has been described as “pretty poor design quality and very out of keeping with the rest of the property.”
A design statement in the planning application read: “In addition to general refurbishment and redecoration works, the overall ambition of the works to Donnington Hall is to undo a lot of the damage done over the last century.
“All works to the property seek to either repair, restore or reinstate the historic fabric of the building, or if new, to be historically in keeping and appropriate.”
No objections were made in relation to the application, which was granted on the condition that no bats or their habitats are damaged.
The hall currently boasts 13 bedrooms, five bathrooms, stables, a private lake and tennis courts, as well as 187 acres of land, 46 of which are parkland and landscaped gardens.
With four children between them – Miss Hurley’s son Damian and Mr Warne’s children Brooke, 15, Jackson, 13, and Summer, ten – and their extensive family and friends, there is plenty of room to accommodate all.
There is also room for a housekeeper and nanny, an extensive cellar, 12 stables, a coach house, tennis court and four estate cottages.
The tenants who occupy these have been reassured their new landlords have no intention of throwing them out.
The former cricketer proposed to his Hollywood girlfriend in 2011 with a giant sapphire ring.
Speaking last year Liz spoke of her desire to move in with her lover: “It was very important to us to get engaged because of the children.
“It was important for Damian’s relationship with Shane and his children’s with me that they knew it wasn’t just a passing flight of fancy for us.
“It gives them a little more stability, understanding we have every intention of getting married and setting up home together.”
Donnington Hall, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, is Grade II listed and was the country seat of the Bishop of Hereford until the mid-18th century.
The current Georgian building was built by the wealthy Skippe family, who bought it in 1671.
It was later owned by Admiral Sir Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe, a former aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria who became commander of the Navy Fleet between 1910 and 1913.
The grounds still contain a 16th century barn and coach house.
The planning decision from Herefordshire County Council says the couple must now start the renovation works within the next three years after surveys are conducted into the effect on any local bat populations.
A report to the application hearing read: “The proposed alterations are considered to be acceptable and in keeping with the scale, character and fabric of this Grade II listed building.
“The original dwelling house will remain the dominant feature and the residential amenities of the occupants of other dwellings in the area will not be affected.”
