Ricky Gervais’ renovation plans at his £6M countryside mansion complete with special BAT loft are thwarted again in ongoing planning battle

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Ricky Gervais‘ ambitious plans to renovate his £6 million country home could be delayed because a family of bats is living in his attic.

The 64-year-old comedian is planning a major renovation: he wants to demolish his current house in Marlowe and build a luxurious new one, complete with a gym and tennis court.

A recent bat survey found that bats are currently living in the house. Because bats are a protected species, this needs to be considered.

A recent report obtained by the Sun revealed over 270 soprano pipistrelle bats exiting the building, along with a large number of droppings – numbering in the thousands.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act makes it illegal to harm or disturb bats, or to damage the places where they live and rest.

Oh my gosh, this is HUGE! So, because of those adorable bats – seriously, I love them! – Ricky has to get a special permission slip from Natural England *before* he can even *start* rebuilding. It’s all about protecting the bats, and honestly, it’s amazing they’re taking it so seriously. It just means a little extra paperwork for him, but it’s totally worth it to keep those little guys safe!

Okay, so it looks like my client needs to do a bit of work to help protect the local bat population. The plan, as outlined in the Bat Mitigation Strategy, is to create a new home for them *inside* his garage – we’re talking a dedicated ‘bat loft’ – and then add two bat boxes up in some nearby trees. It’s all about providing safe and suitable roosting spots, and it’s fantastic that he’s taking this seriously!

According to the report, female bats often return to the same roosting spots each year to give birth and raise their young, because these locations have specific features they need for breeding.

Because bats typically live for 10 to 20 years and have only one baby per year, their breeding groups, called maternity colonies, are essential for the local bat population to thrive. These colonies are also easily affected by changes in their environment.

Earlier this year, Ricky’s home renovations were delayed because he had to revise his plans to add flood protection measures.

The fears forced the Office star to pause plans for his riverside mansion.

He was talking with city officials about a new plan to build a classically styled house where his current three-bedroom home stands. That home has flooded at least five times since 1947.

However, the project was delayed because the Environment Agency worried about potential sewage overflows and claimed that risks hadn’t been adequately addressed.

This was another disappointment for Ricky, who lives by the River Thames, as a similar plan had already been turned down last September.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead decided the plan didn’t meet local and national planning rules.

The actor intended to completely tear down his country home – which he affectionately calls his ‘little retreat’ – and build a new one in its place.

Ricky had previously withdrawn a proposal to add a bedroom extension over the garage.

After planners rejected the project last September, they explained it would put development in a highly flood-prone area, where it was particularly vulnerable. They also stated the proposal didn’t demonstrate it wouldn’t worsen the risk of flooding.

People also worried that the plan didn’t consider how climate change might affect things.

He submitted photos from security cameras with his application, showing the property’s front entrance, garage, and backyard flooded after the River Thames overflowed.

The Environment Agency raised new concerns about possible flooding, which has paused the resubmission of plans for Ricky’s project, according to his planning agent.

According to an email posted on the planning portal, the client’s representative stated that his client was preparing to discuss a new house plan with local officials when they learned the Environment Agency had finally responded to a previous application.

We’ve paused all work on the project while we wait for the Environmental Agency to explain their stance.

Oliver Murray, a planner with the Environment Agency, raised concerns that the previous flood-risk assessment was inadequate and didn’t properly consider the potential impacts of climate change.

Murray wrote that they couldn’t submit feedback before a decision was made, but they’re sending their comments anyway for your records. They object to the application because a satisfactory flood risk assessment wasn’t provided.

He explained that the flood risk assessment didn’t meet the standards for assessments of individual sites. He also stated the proposal went against the council’s plan for reducing flood risk and protecting waterways.

Murray stated that the flood-risk assessment doesn’t properly evaluate the potential flooding dangers of the project. He explained that it doesn’t consider how climate change might affect flooding, nor does it prove the development won’t worsen flooding in other areas.

Murray believes the issue will continue until they receive an updated evaluation of the flood risk.

He clarified that the project needed to account for the potential impacts of climate change and prove that any reduction in the natural flood storage area would be fully offset, ensuring flood risk doesn’t increase in other locations.

The argument also pointed out that even with planning permission, Ricky would still need a separate permit before he could start any construction.

Because the River Thames runs next to the property, anyone wanting to do work there needs a Flood Risk Activity Permit. Based on the current proposal, it doesn’t seem likely that a permit would be approved.

Just because you’ve received planning permission doesn’t guarantee you’ll automatically get a permit. We recommend checking with us as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

The applicant needs to show that the planned work won’t increase flood risk or harm the stream or river.

As a lifestyle expert, I always advise clients to think proactively about protecting their homes. When it comes to flooding, it’s not just about stopping water, but also minimizing damage if it *does* get in. That means considering things like building barriers, raising electrical outlets and wiring, and using construction materials specifically designed to withstand water – these are all smart steps to build a more resilient home.

According to Murray, Ricky’s team needs to provide an ecological survey to address the agency’s concerns. This survey must demonstrate that their plans are practical, attainable, and will deliver the necessary improvements to biodiversity.

Ricky’s planning agent identified several perceived errors in the agency’s response.

The actor’s representative said their report shows the planned construction won’t cause any flooding issues because the building’s size won’t be increased.

In earlier plans for the rebuilding project, Ricky’s representative explained why replacing the existing house would be a good idea.

The agent described the current house as poorly designed, unsustainable, and having a confusing layout.

New homes should be well-designed both inside and out, and built with significantly improved environmental standards.

This project aims to build a durable, eco-friendly home that can withstand flooding and improves both the surrounding landscape and the quality of life for its residents.

This plan seeks to make the most of the property’s riverfront setting by offering expansive views of the Thames and creating bright, open living areas, a significant improvement over the current, smaller, more divided rooms.

Ricky, who lives with his partner Jane Fallon, included a flood risk assessment with the application, but it was ultimately unsuccessful.

Regarding the potential for flooding, his representative explained that the ground floor was raised significantly.

By reducing the building’s size, increasing space for floodwater storage underneath it, and enhancing flood protection measures, the risk of flooding to and from this property will be significantly reduced.

While these changes don’t eliminate the risk of flooding entirely, they significantly improve the safety of those living in the home. Raising the floor levels gives residents more time to react if a flood occurs.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! Ricky snatched up that incredible place back in 2014 for just £2.75 million! And now, everyone’s saying it’s worth over £4 million! Can you even imagine? It’s just… amazing to see how much it’s increased in value. I’ve been tracking it forever, and it’s so rewarding to see it appreciated!

Ricky owns a significant amount of real estate, including a large, £14.75 million mansion in north London. This property boasts nine bedrooms, a spa, and a tennis court, and is located in a protected, leafy area. He also owns a home by the river in Marlow.

He also owns two apartments on New York’s Upper East Side, purchased in 2008 for £1.1 million and in 2011 for £2.5 million.

Reicky caused upset with his neighbors when he lived in his former £7.7 million home in north London’s Hampstead. He had excavated a basement to build an underground gym and swimming pool.

Comedian Russell Brand also owns property near Marlow, purchasing a six-bedroom riverside house in Henley-on-Thames for £3.3 million just two months before Ricky Gervais bought his home in 2014.

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2025-09-16 17:55