Actress Maxine Peake, best known for her role in Shameless, is caught in a dispute with her neighbors over plans to convert her £1 million farmhouse in Leominster, Herefordshire, into a rehearsal and creative workspace.
The 50-year-old actress, who moved to the village just over a year ago, wants to transform her Grade II-listed home into a space where she and other artists can work.
However, not everyone in the village is thrilled about the idea.
Neighbor Raises Concerns About Noise and Disturbance
One of Peake’s neighbors, Peter Ramsey, a former landscaper living next door, has formally objected to the plan.
He fears the noise from rehearsals, loud music, and the use of an outdoor kitchen to cater to large groups of performers will disrupt the quiet countryside setting.
In his complaint to Herefordshire Council, Ramsey suggested that Peake and her team use the village hall located two miles away, which he noted is available for hire at the “remarkable rate of £16 per day.”
If the council approves the project, Ramsey has requested strict conditions, including soundproofing the rehearsal space and banning outdoor performances and rehearsals altogether.
More Than Just a Rehearsal Space
The renovation plans, submitted by Peake’s production design partner, Pawlo Wintoniuk, go beyond a rehearsal space.
The proposal also includes a pottery studio in one of the barns, seven car parking spaces, and six cycling spaces. It remain
s to be seen whether local authorities will approve the project amid the backlash from nearby residents.
Peake’s Busy Year: From Building Battles to Baking Challenges
Despite the neighborhood controversy, Maxine Peake is gearing up for an exciting year.
She recently announced her participation in The Great British Bake Off’s Stand Up To Cancer special, set to air this spring.
The much-anticipated lineup for the 2025 celebrity charity edition features 20 well-known faces. The show will continue with its usual hosts, Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding, and Paul Hollywood, but will see a temporary replacement for judge Prue Leith, who is stepping back due to a busy filming schedule.
Taking her place will be Caroline Waldegrave OBE, a close friend of Leith and a well-respected figure in the culinary world.
A Star-Studded Bake Off Lineup
This year’s Stand Up To Cancer special boasts an impressive celebrity lineup, including:
- TV personalities Kate Garraway, Sarah Beeny, and Gloria Hunniford
- Actresses Meera Syal and Ellie Goldstein
- Comedy duo Chris and Rosie Ramsay
- Siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas
- Comedians and entertainers Adam Buxton, Jamali Maddix, and Phil Wang
- Musicians and actors Gbemisola Ikumelo, Tommy Tiernan, and Self Esteem
- Content creators Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date)
With such a packed schedule, Peake will likely be juggling both the drama unfolding in her village and the high-pressure challenges of Bake Off.
What’s Next for Peake’s Farmhouse Plans?
As the council reviews her application, it remains to be seen whether Peake will get the green light for her creative retreat or if she will need to rethink her plans to accommodate her neighbors’ concerns.
What do you think? Should Maxine Peake be allowed to go ahead with her farmhouse renovation, or do her neighbors have a valid point? Share your thoughts!
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