Rupert Grint aka Ron Weasley lives in a £5.4 million estate at Kimpton Grange. The star plans to build a controversial new village at his Hertfordshire estate. Allegedly, Rupert has offered to give people the ‘gift’ of free land in order to get approvals.
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Are freebies worth it?
Rupert’s ‘eco-village’ has its benefits and has also become an ‘approved’ idea from a local primary school. However, some locals still oppose the idea of getting the approvals through ‘freebies.’
MailOnline confirmed that a neighbour – Dalia Wyatt – was given the offer to be ‘gifted a small garden,’ if Rupert’s plans were to progress. Meanwhile another objector – John Pepper – wrote on the North Hertfordshire Council planning application portal:
The proposed gifting of land to certain neighbours and the Parish Council is surely a cynical device to encourage planning consent.
The fate of trees
Not only is Rupert criticised for his move to win over the locals with freebies, but many are also concerned about the trees in the area. Dalia, despite a tempting offer to get her own garden, objected to the proposal because of the fate of 32 trees that will be removed for the new houses.
She wrote:
The removal of the trees where the affordable housing would go, would open up the vista and irrevocably change this historic area. I was horrified by the plans showing the new view.
I have severe misgivings about the promise of land being given to the Local Authority for a Nature reserve. There is no guarantee that this will be fulfilled after planning is granted.
Also if the land was gifted, I have real concerns whether at some future time, some of this land would be utilised for housing or sold on.
This comes as it is believed that Rupert never liked his Kimpton Grange estate because it needed renovation. He previously tried to sell the estate in 2018 for £6 million.
Source Used
Daily Mail: Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is accused of trying to win planning consent for 'eco-village' on his Hertfordshire country estate by offering locals 'sweeteners' including free land
