EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Former wild child Duke of Marlborough's mini Blenheim gets the thumbs up despite council concerns
An Englishman's home is his castle, or is it?
The 12th Duke of Marlborough has not lived in Blenheim Palace since inheriting his title from his father, who died a decade ago.
He has, however, ruffled a few feathers with his plans to build another palatial home on land that is part of his family seat.
'While the 11th Duke lived in the palace, his successor and their heirs wish for more privacy and a more informal home.
'Consequently, both the Duke [James Spencer-Churchill] and his heir [the Marquess of Blandford] currently live off-site,' a planning paper says.
The 12th Duke of Marlborough, James Spencer-Churchill, has not lived in Blenheim Palace since inheriting his title from his father, who died a decade ago
George, the Marquess of Blandford, is a polo star and model who has played alongside Prince Harry and hit the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana.
He married his childhood sweetheart, interior designer Camilla Thorp at the palace in 2018.
Despite the green light from the council, the new-build raised concerns.
'We always believed this should have been a building with a main block of relatively shallow plan,' a conservation officer sniped at one committee meeting.
'This was to prevent the new house being too assertive, or too imposing — as, arguably, there is only room for one grand house on the estate. Instead, the applicant has resolutely pursued a deep, squarish plan, giving a relatively voluminous and blocky form.'
Blenheim Palace, located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, is over 300 years old
The new house will be in a modern classical style with sash windows and stone craftsmanship.
The project includes a barn conversion, a new driveway, landscaping and an outdoor swimming pool.
It will occupy 1.79 hectares at Furze Platt in Blenheim Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 12th Duke, formerly known as Jamie Blandford, had a turbulent past — with stints in prison and a previous drug habit. He was almost disinherited by his father in 1994.
It was thought his wife, Edla Griffiths, had calmed him down after they met in the mid-1990s. Sadly they have since separated, as I revealed in May.
