Aaron Taylor-Johnson wins council battle after rumoured James Bond embroiled in pond row
Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his wife Sam have won their battle with the local council over a lake they excavated at their Somerset farmhouse.
The celebrity couple faced opposition from neighbours after carrying out unauthorised works at their 16th century country home.
However, they have now received retrospective permission after the project was praised for increasing biodiversity in the area.
The couple had sparked concern when they began work on the lake without planning permission, with some locals fearing it would be used for open water swimming.
Council officials had previously visited the property and shut down the operation in 2023.
The retrospective application clarified that the two areas of water were actually wildlife ponds, not for recreational use.
Neighbour Amy Fukuyama wrote in support of the project: “I live to the west of the fields belonging to Great House Farm and am overjoyed at the prospect of the increase to biodiversity in our area,” MailOnline reports.
“Since the ponds have been constructed there has been a noticeable increase in bird activity. We now regularly see, and hear, flocks of geese flying over and can hear a Tawny Owl on occasions which I don’t recall hearing before.”
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Another neighbour, Darren Tune, added: “Previously the field were monoculture providing very little habitat and this is better use of the field as it will increase the biodiversity of the area.”
“My home looks over the field and my land buts on to the field, I can see the pond and i consider the construction noise was not intrusive.”
Ty Schlechter also expressed support, noting it would be “wonderful to see and hear wildlife in the village”.
The project was approved as a “flood alleviation scheme” by planning official Jane Thomas, who noted it would “reduce the risk of flooding” that has threatened the Grade II-listed farmhouse.
Evidence submitted with the application stated the home has flooded every year since 2011.
The couple insisted the measures were needed to protect their historic property from regular flooding issues.
A Sustainable Drainage Systems inspection carried out last week by council officers gave the go-ahead for the pond to continue operating with “no issues” raised.
The report stated: “The flood prevention scheme has operated well during periods of high rain and high spring discharges.”
“The arched bridge at the outlet is clear, unencumbered and well maintained as is the rest of the site.”
Taylor-Johnson, 34, is hotly tipped to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.
His wife Sam, 58, directed Fifty Shades of Grey and met Taylor-Johnson on the set of Nowhere Boy in 2009, where he played John Lennon.
Despite their 24-year age gap, the couple married in 2012 at Babington House in Somerset and have two daughters together.
Planning permission was also granted earlier this month for new pedestrian and vehicle gates at the property.
The council additionally approved the installation of a surfaced bellmouth, a cattlegrid, timber field gate, stock proof fencing and native hedge planting.
Planners noted: “The works proposed will improve the access to the agricultural land of the estate facilitating management of that land.”