A project that is far from unanimous. At just 19 years old and only eight years after his first appearance in the cinema for his role as Ron Wesley in the Harry Potter saga, Rupert Grint has invested part of his fortune in a property located in Kimpton, in the countryside of north London. The Kimpton Grange manor and its park of almost 10 hectares.
The actor had then explained to the 1,400 inhabitants of the village that he wanted to settle there with his family. In the early years, Rupert Grint’s parents, Nigelle and Joanne Grint, were indeed seen regularly on the property. However, 15 years after this purchase, the actor who plays Ron Wesley has much bigger plans for his estate. To the great displeasure of the inhabitants, reveals the “Daily Mail”.
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Fifteen constructions surrounded by nature
After unsuccessfully trying to sell the property in 2018, Rupert Grint presented a plan for an eco-village on the land in 2020, which involves converting the manor into six apartments and building four two-bedroom terraced houses and five detached terraced houses. The homes are described as “affordable” and will be built in the middle of a wooded park.
“The proposals aim to restore an old building within the green belt, preserving it from further degradation and damage,” explains the current owner of the premises in the file, made public by “The Comet”. Rupert Grint also promises that Eco-Hogsmeade (the name is a nod to the Hogsmeade village in Harry Potter) will offer “additional amenities” to Kimpton residents, such as a picnic area or a new walking path.
But the Daily Mail explains that residents have been united against this project for four years now. At the heart of the conflict: the fact that the Harry Potter actor’s land is located in a protected area.
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13 appeals deemed “serious”
“This unsustainable development project will destroy the conservation area,” fears a resident interviewed by our English colleagues. Thus, one month before the municipal council votes on whether or not to grant planning permission to Rupert Grint, thirteen people have filed an appeal to ensure that Eco-Hogsmeade never sees the light of day.
The local nature conservation association has expressed reservations, saying the information provided was not sufficient to assess the impact on biodiversity. Kimpton residents have also warned of adverse effects on traffic on the village’s narrow main street.
In an attempt to calm things down, Rupert Grint has tried to modify his project a little and even to offer all the residents of his estate a piece of land to enlarge their garden. For the moment, nothing works…
