Cate Blanchett wins approval for a luxury garden at her Cornwall eco-home after neighbours raised concerns; locals had earlier accused the actor of encroaching on environmentally important land

Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett has secured approval for landscaping and outdoor features at her £1.6 million Cornwall property, following months of scrutiny over plans for her coastal eco-home. The approved proposals include a grass driveway, hardwood decking, Cornish granite steps, trees, ornamental plants and boulders around the five-bedroom property in Mawgan Porth. The application also faced questions over outdoor lighting, with ecological experts warning that some proposed fixtures could disturb bats foraging in the surrounding area. The revised lighting arrangements were subsequently accepted by Cornwall Council. The development has attracted criticism from some neighbours over the years, particularly over construction disruption and a separate proposal involving an adjoining meadow.Cate Blanchett's luxury garden plans at Cornwall eco-home get council approvalBlanchett and her husband, Australian playwright Andrew Upton, have received approval for details relating to landscaping, outdoor lighting and shutters at their property, known as Bob Tails, in Mawgan Porth, near Newquay.The approved plans include the addition of local plants, trees and ornamental grasses, along with Cornish boulders to complement the coastal surroundings. The proposals also feature a grass driveway, hardwood decking beside the house and steps made using Cornish granite.The decision was issued on July 14, 2026, under planning application PA26/03634. It concerns the discharge of three conditions attached to the original planning permission granted in September 2022, rather than a completely new permission to construct the house.Bat concerns prompted changes to the outdoor lightingOne of the main issues during the planning process involved the potential impact of outdoor lighting on bats in the area.The original landscaping proposals included several types of lighting, including pole-mounted path lights, tree-mounted spike lights, low-level step lights and wall lights. An ecological assessment raised concerns that some of the proposed fixtures did not comply with the bat-protection guidance referenced in the property's original planning conditions.A survey conducted in 2021 found no active bat roosts in the building. However, it established that bats used the wider site for foraging, prompting recommendations to minimise artificial lighting.The guidance called for low-level lights directed downwards, warm-spectrum illumination and timers to limit unnecessary use. Following the concerns, the couple submitted revised plans in May 2026.The amended arrangements use warm-white LED lighting in line with guidance from the Bat Conservation Trust. A representative for the couple told the Daily Mail that changes had been made to make the lighting more suitable for bats.How the Cornwall eco-home became a source of controversyBlanchett and Upton purchased a cottage in Mawgan Porth for approximately £1.6 million in 2020. The couple subsequently secured planning permission to demolish the existing property and replace it with a five-bedroom sustainable home.The construction project attracted complaints from some residents, who raised concerns about the scale of the development, building activity and its impact on the coastal village.In February 2024, The Guardian reported complaints from Karen Burgess, who owned a nearby holiday rental. She claimed that noise from construction work had disrupted guests' stays during 2023 and cost her business more than £60,000 in lost revenue.The couple's architects, Watershedd, disputed the allegations, saying that the noise described by Burgess must have originated from other developments in the area. The firm also said it had maintained communication with neighbours during the construction process.Neighbours objected to plans involving an adjoining meadowThe controversy extended beyond the construction of the house when Blanchett and Upton sought to develop an adjoining plot of land they had purchased in 2021.The couple proposed creating a new entrance and parking area for four cars on part of the land. The plans prompted objections from local residents concerned about the potential loss of green space and changes to the character of the surrounding landscape.One neighbour, Helen John, described the proposal as "a blatant attempt to erode an environmentally important piece of land by stealth and incorporate it".The couple's planning representatives, Situ8, defended the proposal, arguing that the loss of green space would be limited and that approximately 86% of the meadow would remain. They also maintained that the proposed parking area had been designed to minimise its visual impact.The separate application was eventually withdrawn in June 2024. A letter informing Cornwall Council of the withdrawal did not publicly specify the reason for the decision.The property that earned Mawgan Porth the 'Hollywood-on-Sea' nicknameMawgan Porth is a coastal village near Newquay in Cornwall that has attracted several well-known figures in recent years. Its association with celebrity homeowners has led to the nickname "Hollywood-on-Sea".Actors including Stanley Tucci, Jason Statham and Jason Momoa have also been linked to the area in media reports.Blanchett's property has drawn particular attention because of its coastal location and the controversy surrounding its redevelopment. The couple's project was presented as a sustainable replacement for the original cottage, incorporating a modern five-bedroom home within the coastal landscape.You use AI every day. 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