Council denies Ewan McGregor permission to fix mansion roof
The Star Wars actor wanted to swap the ageing lead roof at his retreat in Perth and Kinross for modern material.
The architect behind the plans said the change to the 18th-century house was justified given the risk of theft.
Documents submitted by the agent David Bell Architects said: 'The building is at high risk due to the value of lead.'
The agent said the planned replacement material, Sarnafil, 'has no resale value, making it a non-target for thieves. The existing lead roof is beyond repair, suffering from fatigue cracking, splits and failed flashings. Patch repairs are no longer viable and have led to water ingress, threatening the historic fabric below.
'Lead theft may also be a recurring issue, particularly on remote or vulnerable buildings such as this, making replacement with like-for-like materials unsustainable from a security perspective.'
Perth & Kinross council rejected the plans, ruling they would not preserve the 'fine detail character and special architectural interest' of the C-listed building.
It said the move would be contrary to the local development plan through the use of 'non-traditional methods and materials'.
The Trainspotting star bought the home in 2023 for £2.35 million after it had been on the market for offers over £2.15 million.
The building dates from 1789 and when advertised for sale had ten bedrooms in the main house with an option to use a dressing room as an additional bedroom. The mansion has more than 15,000 sq ft of living space on three floors including a billiard room and drawing room. It also features a two-bedroom flat, stores and a wine cellar on the lower ground floor.
Set in more than 18 acres of land and gardens, it has a two-bedroom gate lodge and a courtyard of outbuildings, including a game larder and a tennis court.
Since buying the home, McGregor has been given permission to erect a replacement garage and to create a new master bedroom and bathroom suite. He also won a fight to repair 'yellowing' and 'water damage' to the mansion.
• Tom Peck: Ewan McGregor squared up to me — Maureen Lipman held him back
In December he was given approval to renovate the lodge in the grounds.
McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars films between 1999 and 2005, is spending extended periods at his property near his hometown of Crieff, Perthshire. In an interview last year, he said: 'I definitely started to feel this pull home. I never saw it coming, it's weird. I think whoever made the world started with Scotland and got it right.'
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