Rupert Grint building green mini-village at £5.4m Herts mansion

EXCLUSIVE: Harry Potter star Rupert Grint wants to magic up a green mini-village at his £5.4million Hertfordshire mansion

• The actor wants to build six apartments and nine houses at Hertfordshire estate
• Grint bought estate at Kimpton Grange near Hitchin, Herts, in 2009 for £5.4m
• His latest project has now been praised as ‘groundbreaking’ for its sustainability

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is trying to build a ‘green’ mini village at his £5.4m mansion.

The 34-year-old actor, famous for playing Ron Weasley in the blockbuster movie series, wants to create six apartments, four terraced houses and five detached houses at a Hertfordshire estate he bought 13 years ago.

The former child star who landed his first job in the Potter films aged 11 in 2001 has amassed a burgeoning property empire with houses across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

His latest project has been praised as ‘groundbreaking’ for its sustainability and even received a warm welcome from the local primary school.

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is trying to build a ‘green’ mini village at his £5.4m mansion

The former child star who landed his first job in the Potter films aged 11 in 2001 has amassed a burgeoning property empire with houses across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

The 34-year-old actor, famous for playing Ron Weasley in the blockbuster movie series, bought the estate 13 years ago

Mr Grint bought the estate at Kimpton Grange near Hitchin, Herts, in 2009 for £5.4m but he is not thought to have ever lived there as it needed renovating.

He tried to sell the 13,000sq ft property for £6m in 2018, but he is still the registered owner on land registry documents.

The six apartments – five of which will be two-bed with a larger three-bed – will be converted from the existing manor house.

Four two-bed terraced affordable houses will further be erected alongside one five-bed, two four-bed and two two-bed detached eco-homes.

The development will include the demolition of the existing barn building, landscaping, added parking and the creation of new access.

The development will include the demolition of the existing barn building, landscaping, added parking and the creation of new access

The plans include six apartments, four terraced houses and five detached houses

The site also includes an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and ornamental walled gardens

An existing shed will also be repaired, a pool house will be retained and a set of kennels will be removed.

The lodge has previously been in use as a family home – and will be totally renovated to accommodate the new apartments if permission is granted.

While the interior would be transformed the historical interior remains intact with the main door reinstated to create an entrance more historically faithful to the original.

The site also includes an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and ornamental walled gardens.

There is also a large pond fed by the River Kym – which will feature as a key point of the development, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability.

While the interior would be transformed the historical interior remains intact with the main door reinstated to create an entrance more historically faithful to the original

Clear Architects, presenting the plans to North Herts Council on behalf of Mr Grint, said: ‘The proposal echoes the Government’s aim for the highest quality in architecture

There is also a large pond fed by the River Kym – which will feature as a key point of the development, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability

A further feature pond will also be added, with dense woodland preserved as part of a circular walk for residents.

Clear Architects, presenting the plans to North Herts Council on behalf of Mr Grint, said: ‘The proposal echoes the Government’s aim for the highest quality in architecture.

‘This application is ground-breaking and reflects the highest standards of architecture in the surrounding area.

‘Given the UK is in a climate change emergency, having a highly designed test case within the District would enable the council to showcase how sustainability can be designed into a project at an early stage prior to gaining planning permission for the greater good of the environment.’

The deputy head of nearby Kimpton Primary School, Mrs A Ledger said: ‘As a school we are very interested in using the proposed community facilities and education boards explaining the ecology and biodiversity of the site.

‘This together with the pond will be a useful teaching aid which we would make use of as part of our Forest School provision.’

A further feature pond will also be added, with dense woodland preserved as part of a circular walk for residents

For the new structures, builders will use sustainably sourced timber with spoil from the site used in landscaping work

The interior of the lodge will have a large swimming pool, gym, and cycle store with an outdoor communal zone for residents.

Three units with large dining and living areas will sit on the ground floor, with two more on the first floor and a sixth on the top floor.

Rainwater harvesting tanks and heat pump boreholes will be situated outside the main building.

For the new structures, builders will use sustainably sourced timber with spoil from the site used in landscaping work.

The houses will be equipped with heat pumps to make use of natural energy, while solar panels will generate electricity.

Rainwater will also be harvested and stored in tanks beneath the properties.

The lake houses will have balconies overlooking the water.

The affordable cottages will have their own private gardens and will use tiles from the levelled barn to line their roof

The affordable cottages will have their own private gardens and will use tiles from the levelled barn to line their roof.

Inside is an open plan kitchen and dining area, a large living room, a boot and shower room, with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the top floor.

Each will have two parking spaces with electric charging points.

Mr Grint has a two-year-old daughter, Wednesday, with Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging star Georgia Groome, 30, who he started dating in 2011.

Following the success of his Harry Potter career, his parents Joanna and former racing driver Nigel paid £975,000 for a Hertfordshire townhouse which they turned into a boutique hotel.

Mr Grint’s performing arts company Clay 10 turned over £23.4 million in 2021.

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