Winslet applies to renovate country manor

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes have asked a council for permission to make changes to their Cotswold manor retreat, it was confirmed today.

Planning officers said theatre and film director Mendes had applied for listed building consent for changes to Church Westcote manor.

The country manor house, near Little Rissington in Gloucestershire, is Grade II listed so the pair need Cotswold District Council’s go-ahead to make alterations.

A planning spokesman said consent was asked to knock down a twentieth-century kitchen extension and to temporarily remove a bathroom window to investigate how much conservation work was needed.

According to the application, this would be followed by more works when the full condition of the house was known.

Potential problems cited included movement to the front of the house, and a need to look at the structural timbers and investigate damp.

The spokesman added that such applications were dealt with by council officers rather than by committee and he expected a decision soon.

The mansion was bought by 27-year-old Winslet and 37-year-old Mendes earlier this year and is thought to be worth more than £3m (€4.7m).

The main house dates from the 17th century, with another wing dating from the early 18th century.