Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint has finally secured approval for a long-debated eco-development at his £5.4 million Hertfordshire estate, ending a planning saga that began in 2022 and drew strong local opposition.
The project, located at Kimpton Grange near Hitchin, will see parts of the historic grounds transformed into a small sustainable housing community.
However, the approval only came after a formal legal agreement was reached with the local council.
What the Approved Development Will Include
The plans centre on reshaping the 18th-century Grade II-listed manor house on the estate into six separate apartments.
Alongside this conversion, the development will introduce a mix of new homes designed under “eco” principles, including:
- Four two-bedroom terraced affordable homes
- One five-bedroom detached house
- Two four-bedroom detached homes
- Two additional two-bedroom detached properties
In total, the scheme adds up to 15 new homes across the estate, all positioned within a broader sustainability-focused layout.
Sustainability Claims and Environmental Design Features
Supporters of the proposal have described the project as “groundbreaking” in its environmental ambition.
One of its key features is a planned pond connected to the River Kym, intended to support biodiversity and improve local ecosystems.
However, ecological assessments raised concerns earlier in the process, including the presence of bats in the manor house and potential impacts on wildlife habitats across the estate.
Despite objections, planners ultimately accepted the revised scheme as a controlled form of development within the estate’s boundaries.
Local Opposition Over Green Belt and Tree Loss
The proposal triggered strong criticism from residents in Kimpton, a small village with just over 2,000 people.
Some locals argued the development would significantly alter the character of the area.
One resident described the scheme as a “tragic act of vandalism,” pointing to concerns that up to 50 established trees could be removed.
Others argued that building on green belt land was unnecessary and harmful to the rural landscape.
Council opposition voices also warned that the design risked damaging both green belt protections and the village conservation area.
The Financial Agreement Behind the Approval
The final planning consent was only issued after a Section 106 agreement was completed, requiring Grint to contribute nearly £200,000 towards local infrastructure and services.
The breakdown includes:
- £100,000 for Kimpton Parish Council to maintain open spaces
- £70,513 toward expanding Katherine Warington School in Harpenden
- £11,401 for additional special educational needs school places
- £2,519 to increase capacity at Hitchin Library
- £1,974 for a community lounge or shared-use facility in Hitchin
- £680 directly to the county council
The total contribution comes to £187,087, designed to offset pressure on local services created by the development.
Infrastructure and Planning Conditions Attached to the Scheme
Several strict conditions were attached to the approval before construction can begin.
These include requirements for a detailed construction management plan, archaeological surveys, and drainage controls.
Flood risk was a major issue during consultation, with initial objections warning the development could increase surface water flooding due to insufficient hydrological data.
To address transport concerns, the developer must also fund new bus shelters and pavement improvements, aiming to make public transport a realistic option for future residents.
Council Response and Final Approval Process
North Hertfordshire District Council confirmed the delay in issuing the final decision was due to the time needed to complete the legal agreement.
Officials stated that the scheme was approved subject to the completion of the Section 106 obligations, ensuring community impacts were formally addressed before construction could proceed.
With legal hurdles now cleared, the long-contested eco-village project at Kimpton Grange is finally set to move forward—albeit under close scrutiny from both supporters and critics.
