Ellen DeGeneres, the former chat show host, is embroiled in controversy over renovations at her £15 million home in the picturesque Cotswolds. After purchasing the historic farmhouse for approximately £2.5 million above the asking price, DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, have come under scrutiny from local parish councillors concerned about the impact of their home improvements on the surrounding environment.
Reports suggest the couple made what is termed as a "technical breach" when they added a single-storey extension to their property. This extension incited concerns primarily from Rosie Pearson, the youngest of the late Viscount Cowdray's children, along with three other council members. Their apprehensions centered on potential disruptions to Roman ruins situated nearby and the risk of increased flooding due to modifications made to fencing and hedges.
According to minutes from the parish council meetings, there was specific worry about rubbish being swept down and caught on the new hedge and wire fence, effectively creating barriers to normal water flow and increasing flood risks across the village. A note from the local council stated, "the onus is on the owner to report any historic remains uncovered," highlighting the responsibility homeowners bear when undertaking renovations near such sensitive areas.
Although the allegations made by councillors raised eyebrows, West Oxfordshire District Council eventually clarified the situation, asserting through their spokespersons, "the Roman remains are more than 200 yards from the property, and the work was completed to a high standard." These statements seemed to quell fears about potential damage to historical sites, as officials confirmed no significant regulatory violation occurred during the renovations.
DeGeneres's purchase of the 43-acre estate last June may have been prompted by her and de Rossi's desire for change following years of facing intense public scrutiny. The couple relocated to the English countryside partly due to the political climate back home, particularly after the re-election of Donald Trump, which left DeGeneres feeling disaffected. Reports indicate they had already committed to buying the Cotswolds property well before the election results were known.
It is no secret DeGeneres spent previous years at the center of controversy due to accusations of fostering a toxic atmosphere during her years on television—leading to the eventual cancellation of her long-running show. She noted the turn of events with humor during her recent Netflix special, openly referencing her exit from show business by stating, "I decided to take up gardening. I got chickens... Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business... Yeah, the 'Be kind' girl wasn't kind. That was the headline."
Despite attempting to settle down and embrace peaceful country living, it seems Ellen's experiences have come with unexpected challenges. The Cotswolds is home to several other celebrities, including television personality Jeremy Clarkson, who owns The Farmer's Dog pub where DeGeneres and de Rossi have been spotted enjoying local hospitality.
Local residents have mixed feelings about DeGeneres’s presence, with some voicing support for the couple's attempts to modernize the historical farmhouse, as was indicated at the parish meeting. Nevertheless, the councillors' opposition reflects broader anxieties about the balance between preserving historical sites and accommodating modern living demands. Although DeGeneres appears to be settling down, the friction with local governance does not bode well for her quest for tranquility.
Looking forward, the local parish must reconcile the need for progress and development with their commitment to preserving the rich historical fabric of the area. It’s unclear how this will evolve, but DeGeneres's hopes for country life may hinge on her ability to navigate these local waters without aggravation.