Ant McPartlin and wife Anne-Marie Corbett have stirred feathers among a local conservationist organisation by requesting that trees’spoil’ their garden view be taken down.
The pair, who are set to marry in August 2021, reside in a £6 million property in southwest London.
The 47-year-old Britain’s Got Talent judge and his 46-year-old wife have now requested that six trees be down, including four cypress trees, a Weymouth pine, and a yew.
The trees in issue, however, are believed to be protected by tree protection orders, and the couple’s application has led to accusations that they are attempting to take down healthy trees on a whim with “no explanation.”
In documents first reported on by The Sun, one letter of objection from a local residents’ group has asked for the application to be rejected.
It reads: ‘It appears that the trees are protected by a tree preservation order. There is no suggestion that any of the trees are dangerous or diseased.
‘No justification is given for felling these substantial trees, other than the applicant’s wish to allow re-landscaping of part of her garden.
‘The personal whim of the applicant should not override the benefit to the community and the environment in retaining these trees.’
Ant and Anne-Marie bought their first house together in 2018 and immediately began making it their own with major improvements before moving in the following year.
The council earlier gave them permission to create a swimming pool and changing facilities in the property’s garden, as well as two single-story expansions.
The magnificent residence has seven bedrooms, a movie room, a spacious open-plan kitchen, a sun room and a master suite with walk-in closet.
Plans to demolish the property’s existing double car port and replace it with a two-storey garage with accommodation above were reportedly rejected in May for being deemed to have an ‘unacceptable’ impact on the designated conservation area, reported MailOnline.
Ant and presenting partner and closest friend Declan Donnelly formally secured an extended, exclusive deal with ITV for three more years at the start of the year.
The Geordie couple will celebrate 25 years of working with the broadcaster next month, after being signed in August 1998.
Alongside BGT, they present I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Saturday Night Takeaway and quiz show Limitless Win.